"Doctors, Health Officials Urge Flu Shots Ahead Of Flu Season"
It’s only October, but doctors are already issuing warnings about the flu and urging people – especially those most vulnerable – to get a flu shot. Health officials are hoping procrastinators don’t wait much longer to get their vaccine. The urgency this year follows staggering numbers from last flu season, which CDC officials estimate killed 80,000 people, including 180 children. That was the highest estimated toll in nearly 40 years. “I suspect that we will likely see a lighter flu season than we saw last year just because it was so severe,” said Erick Eiting, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of emergency medicine and urgent care for Mount Sinai Downtown. “If you’re going to get a flu shot, it’s better to get it early as it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for you to become fully immune to influenza.”
- Erick Eiting, MD, Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care, Mount Sinai Downtown