Love it or Hate it? Flu Season Means Flu Shots

It's that time of year again - flu season is back, and with it the ongoing debate on whether to get the flu shot.

Beginning Sept. 25, flu shots are available for $16 at the Oakland County Health Division North Oakland Health Center (1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Blg. 34, Pontiac) and South Oakland Health Center (27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield). Hours for flu shots are 12 noon–8 p.m. on Monday, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday. 

Satellite locations will also offer flu shots at the following locations, dates, and times:

• Walled Lake Community Center
  615 N. Pontiac Trl., Walled Lake
  Oct. 9, 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
  Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Troy Civic Center
  3425 Civic Center Dr., Troy
  Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Farmington Hills Costick Center
  28600 Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills
  Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Flu season in the U.S. can begin as early as October and last as late as May, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC estimates that between 20,000 and 30,000 people die each year from the flu and its complications.

Because the virus changes every year, so does the vaccine. This year, the vaccine protects against three different influenza viruses that are expected to be the most prevalent this season.

"The CDC has been very, very accurate in predicting which strains are going to cause the greatest morbidity and mortality every year," Lawrenchuk said. "So those are the strains being protected in this year's vaccine, which is different from last year's vaccine and all of the previous years as well."

There is even a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved nasal spray flu vaccine option for children and those who do not like needles. Although the spray has more side effects than the shot.

Vaccinations are also available through physician's offices as well as through local pharmacies. For a complete list of locations, visit flushot.healthmap.org.

For more information, visit oakgov.com/health or call the Health Division’s Flu Shot Hotline at 1-800-434-3358. An on-call nurse is also available to answer questions at 1-800-848-5533.

What do you think about the flu shot? Will you get vaccinated this year?