MCHD to observe National Influenza Vaccination Week

December 2, 2022

MCHD to observe National Influenza Vaccination Week

MOBILE, Ala. — National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual observance to remind everyone 6 months and older that there is still time to get vaccinated against flu. It is being observed this year from December 5-9.

Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children. Millions of children get sick with flu every year, and thousands will be hospitalized as a result.

“For several weeks, Mobile County area hospitals and urgent care clinics have been seeing increase numbers of patients for upper respiratory illnesses,” said Dr. Kevin P. Michaels, Health Officer of Mobile County. “Get vaccinated now.”

Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent flu. Flu vaccines are the only vaccines that protect against flu and are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.

Together, we can use NIVW as a nationwide call to action to encourage everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot, especially young children and others at higher risk. The more people vaccinated against flu, the more people are protected from flu.

To make an appointment to receive a flu shot from Family Health, the Mobile County Health Department’s primary care division, please call 251-690-8889. To locate other vaccination sites, you may visit www.vaccine.gov/find-vaccines.