Health Matters: It’s time for a flu shot

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. get sick with the flu. But it’s not just a bad cold, because the flu can be deadly.

University Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Weida said anyone older than 6 months should get the flu vaccine every year.

“September or October is a good time to get that vaccine,” Weida said.

Young children might need the vaccine earlier, Weida said, because first-timers need a second dose a month after the first.

Older adults need one later, though, because immunity decreases over time and there are often flu spikes in February and March.