The following is a press release from Kaiser Permanente.

As Washingtonians settle in for fall with sweaters, raincoats and pumpkin spice, now is also the time to get a flu vaccination to stay healthy through our winter months. Kaiser Permanente, as well as the CDC, recommends a flu shot for anyone 6 months of age or older.

“A flu shot is the very best thing we’ve got to prevent influenza,” said Dr. John Dunn, Assistant Medical Director for Preventative Care at Kaiser Permanente Washington. “A flu shot is the best way to help yourself and your family, friends and loved ones stay healthy this winter.”

Kaiser Permanente Tips for Flu Prevention:

• Get a flu vaccine. If you’re older than 6 months, a flu shot is the best prevention tool there is to help avoid getting seriously ill.
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well.
• Wash your hands often and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue into the trash after you use it. If tissues are unavailable, cough into your elbow (not your hands).
• Avoid spreading germs by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest and physical activity.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

Common Flu Myths:

Myth: Influenza is a minor illness.

Truth: 296 people died from the flu in Washington state during the 2017-2018 flu season.

Myth: The vaccine causes the flu.

Truth: You can’t get the flu by having a flu shot. The flu shot is made of inactive virus and therefore cannot cause the flu. And the weakened viruses in the flu nasal spray or injected vaccine can cause symptoms similar to a cold, but they can’t cause the flu.

Myth: The vaccine causes unpleasant side effects.

Truth: The vaccine causes no side effects in most people. Some people report minor soreness at the injection site or mild headache, fever, nausea, or muscle aches that go away in a few days.

Myth: The vaccine is ineffective because some people had a flu-like illness after getting a flu vaccine.

Truth: Although getting the vaccine prevents most people from becoming ill with the flu, some people still become infected. This may occur because a person is exposed to the virus before getting a vaccination or before it has taken effect, or because the vaccine does not match the circulating virus closely enough. But any illness is usually milder than it would be without having had the vaccine.