{"id":11043,"date":"2020-10-15T13:04:42","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T17:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cityofbeacon.org\/?p=11043"},"modified":"2020-10-15T13:04:42","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T17:04:42","slug":"dutchess-county-strongly-recommends-flu-vaccination-this-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beaconny.gov\/index.php\/2020\/10\/15\/dutchess-county-strongly-recommends-flu-vaccination-this-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Dutchess County Strongly Recommends Flu Vaccination This Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dutchess County Health Officials Strongly Recommend<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Flu Vaccination This Season <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

DBCH working to ensure access to flu vaccine for all<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Poughkeepsie <\/span><\/b><\/em>… \u00a0As the COVID-19 pandemic \u00a0continues, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) strongly recommends everyone who can receive flu vaccine to get their vaccination before the end of October.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, with COVID-19, we will be dealing with two potentially life-threatening respiratory viruses \u2013 by themselves, flu and COVID-19 can impact our health and well-being greatly,\u201d said A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH, DBCH Commissioner.\u00a0 \u201cIf an individual happens to become ill with both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time weakening their immune system, they might not be able to recover.\u00a0 Fortunately, flu vaccine is widely available to help prevent or reduce the severity of influenza.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that spread very easily by droplets made when infected people sneeze, cough or talk, or by touching a surface with flu virus on it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to protect your family and yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated. Everyone six months of age and older should receive the vaccine, especially those with chronic health conditions, pregnancy, or 65 years or older,\u201d said Vaidian.\u00a0 \u201cLast year\u2019s flu season began earlier and had a significant increase in cases early on.\u00a0 I recommend everyone get their vaccination as soon as possible to ensure your immunity before the flu season begins to peak in November.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Flu vaccine is readily available throughout the community, including doctor\u2019s offices, pharmacies, and retail stores.\u00a0 DBCH is currently working with businesses, schools, and community organizations to promote vaccination among workplaces, students.\u00a0 \u00a0Additionally, DBCH is outreaching to vulnerable populations who may not have access to flu vaccine, including homeless individuals and migrant workers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to flu vaccination, the following \u00a0protective steps are recommended to prevent flu as well as COVID-19:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n