Flu

Three steps to fighting the flu

  • Take time to get a flu vaccine every year—even if it proves to be less effective this year, some protection is better than none. Everyone older than 6 months is recommended for a flu vaccine.
  • Take everyday preventive actions like covering coughs and sneezes, staying away from sick people and washing your hands often to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses including flu.
  • If you do get the flu, taking antiviral drugs prescribed by your doctor can lessen the severity and discomfort of the flu.

Already have the flu? Click here for a list of community resources and symptoms you should watch out for.

View flu statistics for the entire state of Missouri

Flu Shots

It is easy to get vaccinated, and it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu.

Where To Get A Flu Shot

Flu vaccine is available in many locations throughout Springfield and the surrounding areas. Contact your healthcare provider or input your ZIP code at Flu.gov to find a listing of locations providing shots at this time. 

A few reminders about getting vaccinated:

  • Everyone over the age of 6 months is recommended to be vaccinated
  • Get vaccinated early. Flu shots are typically available starting in early October
  • Flu vaccine will protect against the three or four (depending on the vaccine) most common flu viruses circulating this year
  • Even if you were vaccinated last year, it is important to get vaccinated again this year to protect from changing flu viruses 
  • Talk to your doctor about getting your influenza vaccine
  • Flu vaccine is safe. Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration work closely with vaccine manufacturers to ensure the highest level of safety standards for flu vaccines. For more information about flu vaccine safety, see this link.

Pregnant Women

Flu vaccination helps protect women and their unborn babies from getting the flu. Flu vaccination may even help protect your baby from the flu after your baby is born. Flu shots are safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies. The shot has been recommended for pregnant women for many years. Talk to your doctor about the flu vaccination during your pregnancy. 

Parents 

Flu can be a very serious illness for children of all ages. It can lead to severe illness, hospitalization and rarely, even death. Be sure to provide best protection from the flu by getting your child vaccinated. Vaccination is especially important for protecting children with asthma, diabetes or other health conditions. Children under the age of 9 that have never had a seasonal flu vaccine should get two doses of vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Talk to your child’s doctor or health care provider about getting flu vaccine.