Central Coast residents urged to get flu shots early

Flu season is officially upon us, and after 20 people died along the Central Coast last season, health experts are preparing.

Last flu season Monterey County saw 7 flu-related deaths, 12 people died in Santa Cruz County, and one in San Benito County.

Officials say last year was one of the deadliest seasons with over 80,000 deaths and they’re hoping to prevent that this year.

Carmel resident Gunther Palm has 4 grandchildren and they’re the main reasons why he’s getting his flu shot.

“It’s no problem…it’s very simple!”

Now that flu season has officially begun, this is the time to start protecting yourself and others.

Seven Monterey County residents under the age of 65 died last year from flu complications.

“That’s about double what we had seen the year before and the prior year we only had one so it was a very severe flu season and the best way we can prepare this year is to get our flu vaccines now,” says Kristy Michie, Epidemiologist and Program Manager 1 with the Monterey County Health Department.

This year there has been a change in the vaccine to account for two strains of the flu.

“To try to better match what we saw last year in the flu season and that’s the strain that was causing the most illness last year so we think we have a better flu vaccine to match what will be circulating this year,” says Michie.

It’s recommended everyone over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine. Pharmacy Manager Navid Hojatti tells us Carmel’s CVS has given hundreds in the last week.

“One of the biggest myths about the flu shot is that it can give you the flu and just a reminder that it’s completely inactive the shots that we give, there’s no possibility for you to get the flu from the shot,” says Hojatti.

Officials tell us it takes 2 weeks for your body to build up immunity to these vaccines, so the earlier you can get it, the better.

Hojatti says flu shots are covered by most insurance providers.

Monterey County is offering free flu vaccines. You can find more info on those by clicking here.

San Benito County residents click here.

Santa Cruz County residents click here.