The state’s top doctors confirm the first flu case of the season in South Carolina.
They haven’t said where, but doctors in our part of the state say they’re already seeing cases, too.
Like always, they want you to get a flu shot if you can, even if it’s not an exact match, doctors say it’s better than nothing at all.
Last year’s flu shot didn’t match very well and a lot of people got sick, but this year, the CDC predicts the shot will be more effective.
Flu season officially begins in October, but you never know when the flu might start so doctors recommend getting vaccinated early as opposed to waiting until when the season starts.
“There was an old myth that you used to have to wait to get them but actually we believe the earlier the better,” said Dr. Kristen Carr of Carolina Health Specialists.
Dr. Carr says that people who may be worried about getting the shot too early, are not reducing their risk by waiting, “we know that the flu shot does last the whole season and there’s no concern that its going to lose it’s effectiveness before the end of the season like we used to believe.”
Doctors say the flu is most dangerous for kids under six, seniors over 65 and pregnant women, “however it is really important that even if you’re not in one of those high risk groups, your vaccinated no matter how old you are,” said Dr. Carr.
She adds that unless you’ve had a bad reaction in the past, a little bit of arm stiffness is generally the only side effect.
“You hear all the time, that people claim the flu shot made them sick. Many times they’ve looked at this and never found that to be true,” she said.
This year’s vaccine was made using new strains of the virus, doctors say it’s still too early to be entirely sure how well it will work, “but we have every reason to believe it will be effective,” said Dr. Carr.
According to DHEC, there have delays receiving FluMist nasal vaccine. Also, some injectable flu vaccine has been arriving more slowly to the federal depots.
DHEC says there is enough flu vaccine to begin shipments to health departments and sites that receive publicly funded vaccine for children.
You can also find flu shots right now at Walgreens and CVS and every doctor’s office and urgent care News13 talked to said they had the shot in stock, too.
Prices vary, as does who takes insurance, so you should call ahead to see if your covered, though most plans do offer free flu shots.
DHEC clinics will offer both the shots and nasal spray flu vaccine starting October 15. DHEC charges adults 19 years of age and older no more than $25.00 and children 18 years of age and younger no more than $13.00 for an influenza vaccine.
However, they do not want the cost of the vaccine to become a barrier that keeps you from being vaccinated against the flu. Assistance is available to help you obtain your flu vaccine.
