Doctors Say It’s Time for a Flu Shot

It's time for a flu shot. Dr. Tanny Davenport at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital says the shots are available throughout the community. And he says don't wait until later in the year now is the time for the shot.
Davenport says more people will die of the flu this year than a host of other diseases including Zika and Ebola. In fact according to the CDC in 2017-2018 at least 80,000 people died of flu and its complications. He says in Yakima County flu cases usually start in late December and early January.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. Davenport says it's especially important for high-risk groups that are more vulnerable, like young children, older people, pregnant women and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lung diseases and heart diseases.

The shots are available at pharmacies, drug and grocery stores all around the Yakima Valley.