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Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, then youre behind approximately 36 percent of adults in the country who have already done so, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While that percentage might not seem impressive, it translates into roughly 111 million adults who have received flu shots or the spray flu vaccine since they became available in November. The numbers show a slight uptick from last year, when only 34 percent of adults received flu shots this early.?
But as usual, kids rule. The numbers for children, who are often more vulnerable to the flu than adults, is up to this year to 37 percent, compared to 31 percent last year.
Additionally, more than half of doctors and medical personnel caregivers on the front lines of most flu outbreaks -- have been vaccinated. Adults over 65, also more vulnerable to the flu virus, are holding their own with two-thirds having been vaccinated.
The flu, also known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. You can also get the flu if youve touched a contaminated surface, such as a doorknob or cell phone, and then touch your nose or mouth. The risk of infection is greater in highly populated areas like schools, buses and crowded settings.
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