Winter months bring winter season illnesses.

Adair County Public Health recently shared that the flu and other respiratory illnesses have been on the rise all across the state, and vaccination rates are lower than in previous years, with only about 29% of Adair County residents having received their flu shot.

In a report released by public health, county residents that have received the flu vaccine by age group include children six months to eight years of age, and nine years to seventeen years of age are at the same level as those same age groups for the state of Iowa. County residents 18 to 49 years old, 50 to 64 years old, and those 65 and older are all below the state average.

Adair County Public Health adds that vaccination is the best way to protect against and slow the spread of the flu. Residents can walk in and get a flu shot at the Adair County Public Health building during their business hours.