GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Health in Clay County is strongly encouraging all residents to get their flu shot as soon as possible despite COVID-19 challenges. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the differences and similarities between Influenza and COVID-19. Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine. Although, the flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. For Florida flu statistics, please visit the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Flu Review website.

The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. Individuals that are at most risk for getting severely ill from the flu are young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people aged 65 years and older.

CDC recommends that the flu vaccine should be administered by the end of October, but vaccination should continue to be offered if influenza viruses are circulating locally, and unexpired vaccine is available. Vaccination too early in the season (e.g., July or August) may lead to suboptimal immunity later in the season, particularly among older adults. Children aged 6 months through 8 years who require two doses should receive their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available, and the second dose at least four weeks later.

It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting a flu vaccine every year because flu viruses evolve quickly, and last year’s vaccine may not protect against the current year’s strain. Even if the vaccine does not fully protect against the flu, it may reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications.

Flu Shot Flu vaccines are offered at health care providers’ offices, clinics, county health departments, pharmacies, schools, college health centers and from many employers. Find flu vaccine in your area: VaccineFinder.org. Learn more: FluFreeFlorida.com.

Clay County residents can receive a flu vaccine at the Bear Run Clinic for an administrative cost of $10. The address is 3229 Bear Run Blvd, Bldg. A, Orange Park. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (904) 529-2800.

Good health habits like washing your hands can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wearing a facemask may prevent those around you from getting sick. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office.

Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it's just as important to contain the virus, and that means staying home when you're sick.