After the number of confirmed influenza cases doubled last year in the county, Guthrie County Public Health is urging residents to get their annual flu vaccine now.

Guthrie County Public Health has begun holding flu vaccine clinics in the area and plans to continue them in every school building in the county for students and staff. The flu season typically begins in late October. Those most at risk are children younger than two-years-old, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical problems. The Iowa Department of Public Health states there were 272 flu-related deaths in Iowa in the 2017-2018 season.

Though the flu vaccine is not 100% effective, it can prevent serious illness and death. Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber explains the vaccine’s importance, “The reason that we stress it so much is because there are so many types of flu virus out there. We want to make sure that we are hitting the most prevalent ones that are out there to give your body that immunity so that even if you do become ill with the flu, the signs show that having that flu shot, having that bit of immunity built up, prevents you from becoming drastically ill.”

No appointment is needed to get a flu shot at the Public Health Office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The vaccine takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop, so getting the vaccine sooner is recommended to offer protection for when the flu season arrives.