Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
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Thurston County Washington

Public Health and Social Services

Influenza

Flu Immunization

Seasonal influenza is a serious illness that each year kills about 36,000 Americans and sends more than 200,000 to the hospital. Complications of seasonal flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.  Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal flu. We strongly urge everyone to get a seasonal flu shot as a way to minimize illness in our community. Call your health care provider for more information.  In Thurston County, immunizations are offered by local pharmacies.  Routine immunization with seasonal Influenza vaccine is now recommended for all persons 6 months of age and older. 

Young children can receive seasonal flu shots in health care provider offices. Older children and adults can receive seasonal flu shots in health care provider offices and a variety of places in the community (i.e., pharmacies, grocery stores).

Thurston County Influenza Vaccine Locations | Spanish | Vietnamese

Flu Activity in Washington State (WA DOH) 

Sick woman with flu, cold, fever and cough sitting on couch at home.

Seasonal Influenza

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can be prevented by immunization. It is caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza symptoms come quickly in the form of fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, nasal congestion, and body aches. These symptoms can be severe and put you in bed for a number of days.  Influenza is not the “stomach flu” (diarrhea and vomiting) and is not the same as a bad cold. A cold generally stays up in the head while the flu brings body aches, fever, and extreme fatigue. 

Influenza is a serious disease. People die of the flu every year, and many are hospitalized with serious complications. The very young and very old, plus those with chronic health conditions, are most likely to be hospitalized or die of the flu. 

The first case of flu is often identified in Washington in October or November. Widespread flu activity appears 6-10 weeks after the first case. You need a flu shot each year to get the latest protection. Flu vaccination usually begins in September and October in Washington and continues through March or April. Your flu shot takes 1-2 weeks to take effect. 

 Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine: 

 People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu including: 

  • People who have certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 
  • Pregnant women. 
  • People 65 years and older. 

People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications including: 

  • Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 

Remember, influenza is a serious disease that causes misery, hospitalizations, and even death each year in the U.S. The flu season in Washington begins in October and often peaks in March or even April. Flu vaccination will protect you for the season, as well as people you come in contact with. Flu shots that aren't used this season are simply wasted since the vaccine has to be reformulated every year to match the circulating strains. Plus, providers with vaccine left over lose money and may not order as many doses next year. 

As last year's shortage showed, our nation's flu vaccine supply system is fragile. It depended on just two major vendors, one of which was not able to deliver vaccine last year. It would help if every eligible person got a flu shot every year. Getting a flu shot every year will not only protect you and the people around you but will also help strengthen the nation's annual flu supply system.

If you are at high risk for complications of the flu, or if you live with and care for someone who is, you are especially encouraged to seek a flu shot. Looking for the Flu Shot? Watch for announcements of flu vaccine offered at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Contact your health care providers or contact your local pharmacy!

What about the nasal vaccine, FluMist? 

FluMist, the intranasal flu vaccine, is a viable option for healthy individuals ages 2 to 49 years old. 

Healthy people ages 2-49 may be eligible for the FluMist nasal influenza vaccine. See FluMistQuadrivalent.com for more information. 

Cover your mouth and nose. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue. Dispose of tissue in the nearest waste receptacle. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, you risk the spreading disease when you touch surface that others come in contact with. 

Wash your hands often with soap and water. The key is to wash thoroughly with warm water, and to wash frequently. When hand washing is not possible, use antiseptic hand gels that contain alcohol. 

Stay home if you are sick. If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). Keep away from others as much as possible to prevent spreading illness. 

Hand hygiene is a term used to cover both the topic of the traditional hand washing using soap and water, and cleaning hands with alcohol based hand sanitizers.  Proper hand hygiene may eliminate nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness and significantly reduce the spread of the common cold and flu.  Proper hand hygiene (CDC) is especially important in slowing and stopping the spread of disease outbreaks such as pertussis (whooping cough) or if we have a pandemic. 
 
Washing your hands with Soap and Water 
Comprehensive guide to properly washing your hands with soap and water. 

Cleaning your hands with Alcohol Hand Sanitizers 
Information about cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing Surfaces
Information about cleaning surfaces in your home and office. 

Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings (CDC) recommendations of the healthcare infection control practices advisory committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task force 

Suds Up Against Germs Infographics: 

Thurston County Influenza Dashboard

Click between the following tabs to see Thurston County Influenza data related to emergency room visits, hospitalizations, outbreaks & deaths. 
This dashboard will be updated annually. 

 

Contact our Disease Control and Prevention division at 360-867-2610 or email at PHSS_DCP_CDTeam@Thurstoncounty.onmicrosoft.com if you have additional questions.