Get your flu shot … really!

Dr. Mark Escott is the EMS medical director and public health medical director for Austin and Travis County. So when he speaks on matters of public health, people take him seriously. Right now Dr. Escott is urging all community members to get vaccinated for the flu, because he’s forecasting a real whopper of an influenza season – even worse than the 2017-18 season that caused 79,000 deaths in the U.S. With one confirmed child death in Texas and one school flu outbreak, local public health officials aren’t taking any chances. “Austin Public Health experts are anticipating a severe wave of flu illnesses if residents do not get vaccinated,” says a press release from APH. If you have health insurance, visit VaccineFinder.org to find a convenient location to get your flu shot. APH offers flu shots for uninsured adults and kids who are uninsured or have Medicaid through its Shots for Tots/Big Shots program. “The ability to vaccinate against disease is one of the greatest achievements in human history,” Dr. Escott said. “Please don’t take vaccinations for granted. Protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect those around you who are at increased risk for disease.”