Physical Wellness

CDC Urges People to get Vaccinated Despite a Projected Mild Flu Season

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Dec 21, 2015 03:34 PM EST

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding everyone that there is still time to get the flu vaccine, especially since the season has not really started yet.

The federal agency stated in its weekly report that unlike the previous three seasons, this year's flu season has been delayed. The only state where there is a significant number of flu-related cases to be monitored is South Carolina.

"It really is off to sort of a slow start," the CDC's Lynnette Brammer said, reported by FOX News.

The CDC experts noted that traditionally, the flu season does not start until or after Christmas, when risk of exposure increases due to family gatherings and other social events. Over the past three years, however, there were increases in the number of flu cases in December with a peak toward the end of the month. Experts reasoned that the weather and the type of flu bug could be responsible for the early peaks.

Experts from the Los Alamos National Laboratory estimated that for this season, there is a 57 percent chance that it will peak in February. They also reported that there is a 67 percent chance that this year's flu season will be mild. The scientists used mathematical modeling to arrive at these estimations.

The flu vaccine is considered to be the most effective way of preventing an infection. It is recommended for every one aged six-months and older. For more information on the flu vaccine, visit the CDC's page here.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, couth, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, muscle pain, headaches and fatigue. Some less common symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea.

For more information on the CDC flu report, click here.

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