In mid-November, a seven-month-old baby became the first person in the State of Iowa to come down with a confirmed case of Influenza, commonly known as the flu. Though officials from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) did not release where the baby lives, they did say they normally do not have confirmed cases of the flu until the middle of December.

 

This early confirmation does not necessarily mean a major outbreak, according to IDPH. However, it does serve as a healthy reminder: If you or members of your family have not received your flu shot yet, schedule an appointment now to receive the flu vaccination at Family Medical Center. Unlike some past years, the flu vaccine is readily available.

 

Officials are saying that early indications suggest there is the potential for this year’s flu strain to be particularly hard on children, so vaccinations are strongly recommended for the entire family.

 

More information about influenza is available on the Iowa Department of Public Health’s web site (www.idph.state.ia.us), on the Center for Disease Control’s web site (www.cdc.gov), or from your neighborhood medical professionals at Family Medical Center.