Don’t Put Off Flu Vaccine This Year

by | Feb 1, 2021 | Community, General Interest, Magazine, Senior Health, Senior News, Top Story (C)

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Don’t Put Off Flu Vaccine This Year

Message From Secretary Richard Prudom

Unlike COVID-19, most of us have general knowledge about the flu—a respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness. But similar to COVID-19, the flu shares many of the same symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches, and headache.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine every year. This year, the CDC underscores the flu vaccine is more important than ever to protect yourself and the people around you, and to help reduce the strain on health care systems responding to COVID-19.

According to the CDC, during the 2016–2017 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 5.3 million illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits, and 85,000 hospitalizations. Every year, the flu vaccine reduces severe illness for people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease.

Flu Vaccine and Older Adults

People age 65 and older are at a higher risk for serious flu complications. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years. Each year, the CDC works to ensure the highest safety standards.

Due to the fact that protection from flu vaccine declines over time and flu viruses are constantly changing, yearly vaccination is  advised from medical professionals. The flu vaccine is evaluated every year and often updated to address the viruses that will be common during an upcoming flu season.

It’s a myth that you can get the flu from a flu vaccine. Some people who are vaccinated still catch the flu, but the vaccine serves as protection against severe symptoms and illness.

The best defense against the flu—in addition to getting a flu shot—is to  keep washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to help stop the spread of germs. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Regularly clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces in your home, school, or office. And if you’re sick, contain those germs and stay home!

Learn more:

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

All this was made possible by the partnership between the 500 veteran VMC members who represent the 72,000 veterans who live in Brevard and all levels of government as well as the community. In fact the Despite the 2020 Covid19 pandemic VMC veterans, the government and the community found new ways to create remarkable improvements into 2021 and beyond. First, the County ,led by the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency (MIRA), Parks and Rec and the County Commission, found another $1.5 Million to begin Phase II of Park enhancement which will eventually include a fantastic 5K trail over pathways, board walks and bridges; a new 50 car parking lot on the west side of the Park; many shade trees and other plants, a playground cover, power and irrigation water and much more by mid 2021.

Then, in October 2020 the VMC, along with Brevard Parks in Cocoa Beach, and the Titusville Police Hall of Fame received new, major grants from the Tourist Development Council. Combined with MIRA County funds the grant for VMC is for $2.3 Million to build a major amphitheater in Veterans Memorial Park where concerts, Brevard Symphony Orchestra programs, military ceremonies, fairs, festivals and much more will be held and draw thousands to the Park and the VMC in the months and years ahead.

All of this is really a remarkable story made possible by partnerships between veterans, government and the community. The VMC and Park is well underway to become a very special jewel on Merritt Island where many hope, with its partnership with the Merritt Island Mall, the immediate area will become an even greater hub of special events, recreation, youth programs, education and support to many for the entire community.

For more information about the present and future Center and Park, contact the VMC at 321-453-1776. Better yet, come for an initial visit and they promise you will be back. There is so much now to see and do with even more coming in 2021.