One for yourself, two for others: that’s the mantra given by Guthrie County Public Health when promoting the flu vaccine.

Public Health Director Jotham Arber says there are two reasons why he encourages those over six-months-old to get vaccinated annually. Firstly, he says it’s beneficial to the individual, “Having the flu shot may not always keep you from getting the flu, although in a lot of cases it does. When you do get sick though, it helps you recover faster, your body has antibodies and it can fight the flu faster, so if you get sick with the flu and you haven’t been vaccinated it could be a life-threatening thing. It could also keep you down for two-to-three weeks. Most people that have the flu shot don’t experience that long of symptoms, usually two to three to four days and they’re back up and at it.”

Arber adds, the second reason for getting vaccinated is to protect those around you, especially those more vulnerable to the illness like newborns, the elderly, and those who are immunodeficient. There has been one confirmed flu case in the county so far, as flu activity is currently low in Iowa. Those under 18 years old can get vaccinated for free at the public health office or by a physician. They also accept a free-will donation for adults with lesser means, but Arber points out that vaccines are provided at local health clinics, and pharmacies.