LIVE: Now Is a Good Time To Get Your Flu Shot Says RIDOH’s Wendelken

LIVE: Now Is a Good Time To Get Your Flu Shot Says RIDOH’s Wendelken

If you haven’t already, Joseph Wendelken with the Rhode Island Department of Health says now is the time to get your flu shot, that way you’ll have months of protection against the influenza virus. 

A recent weekly flu report by the CDC, showed Massachusetts is among seven states reporting widespread flu activity. The report also showed some flu some activity indicators were higher than normal for this time of year.  As of December 6, Rhode Island influenza surveillance has been characterized as sporadic.

Wendelken says now is a good time to get vaccinated because it takes about a week for your body to build up the defense to fend off the virus, and this is the time of year many people will be traveling and getting together with family and friends. 

“It is also really important because when you get a flu shot, you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re also protecting the people around you by preventing the spread of the flu,” Wendelken says. 
If you don’t have health insurance or can’t pay for the flu shot, there are places where you can be vaccinated.

For information call the Rhode Island Department of Health at 401-222-5960.