Both Vanderbilt University Doctors and the Metro Public Health Department officials have predicted an above average flu season this year.
In the Southern Hemisphere, countries are reporting a severe outbreak of influenza. Australia has seen an infection rate 2.5 times higher than last year. The news is one indication doctors look for to estimate what the flu season may look like in America.
"You don't know exactly might what happen," said Metro Public Health Department spokesperson Brian Todd. "Every year, the strains may differ a little bit. They may change a little bit. So, that's why you have a flu shot every year that's specific to what we're anticipating to occur."
It really is a guessing game. According to Dr. Kathryn Edwards, Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, the CDC is not able to predict with great certainty what strain of flu might break out each year. However, she says australia's flu intensity and the fact that Nashville didn't have a bad year last year could be a sign.
The answer to the flu is to be vaccinated before it gets here. The season typically starts in December or January, but people need to get vaccinated in October or November for the best chance of the vaccine to work.
"Even though it's nice and sunny out now, people aren't thinking about influenza, this is really the best time to get the shot so it can fully protect you when flu season begins," said Todd.
Metro Health will start administering the vaccine on Monday. The three sites where it will start are the East Health Center at 1015 East Trinity Lane, Woodbine Health Center at 224 Oriel Avenue and the Lentz Health Center at 2500 Charlotte Avenue. Flu shots will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
