Bad Influenza Season Feared: Where to Get a Flu Shot

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: Overall in California, activity is considered moderate now, while it was considered low at this time in 2011, according to Google's Flu Trends.

According to this week's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. 

"It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad flu season, but only time will tell," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said.

Napa Valley residents who want to get vaccinated can do so at Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Safeway and Rite-Aid locations. To find the location nearest you, use the Flu Vaccine Finder at the top of this page.

Five states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee – are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally peaks in January and February.

CDC officials said this year's strain may be more virulent: Already, two children have died of the illness.

A similar flu virus struck during the 2003-2004 season, killing more than 48,000 people in one of the most lethal seasons in the past 35 years.

Nevertheless, this year's vaccination appears to be better matched to the virus.

The flu virus tends to spread faster during peak holiday travel times.

“The holiday travel season means the flu will travel," said Cynthia Greaves, spokeswoman, Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

That means there's still time to get a vaccination before visiting far-flung relatives during the holidays.

“Do it now before you get on a plane or train," Greaves said. “In the mean time if you are traveling get rest, eat well and wash your hands diligently.”

People are contagious a day before symptoms appear and up to a week after getting sick.

The CDC recommends getting annual vaccines as early as possible, as it takes a few weeks to reach full immunity.

• Who should get vaccinated
• When to get vaccinated
• Selecting a flu vaccine
• Symptoms, complications and severity
• Treatment if you get the flu
• How flu spreads

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the CDC announced this week.

With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started last Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aimed to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one.

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