SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, flu viruses spread most in fall and winter seasons, and the most consistent peak in flu viruses is typically seen between December and February.
The Center for Disease and Control Prevention recognizes December 4th-8th annually as National Influenza Vaccine Week, or NIVW. The CDC uses NIVW as a week of raising awareness and promoting the influenza vaccine in hopes that it will limit the spread of flu viruses as we approach peak seasons.
According to the CDC’s website, “The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year.”
The CDC says some important flu symptoms to monitor include:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
While the typical flu symptoms are widely-classified as relatively mild to severe, there is a potential risk for complications to be developed from flu viruses, which can lead to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia.
As we enter NIVW, some convenient influenza vaccine locations include: doctors offices, pharmacies, county health departments, and local urgent care centers.
For specific locations offering flu vaccines in CNY, visit below: