The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are recommending getting influenza shots early this year, as early as August.

Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider says the agencies have always recommended getting the vaccination early, but now the groups want health professionals to urge the early shots.

Schneider adds that the vaccination has been modified from last year’s problems with the H3N2 strain.

Shelly Schneider Audio

Historically, Schneider says the Health Department has encouraged getting flu shots in September or October to stretch out the effectiveness of the vaccine. The CDC and ACIP say the vaccine is effective enough and residents should get the shot as soon as possible, regardless of when their last vaccination occurred.

Shelly Schneider Audio

The CDC reports 177 pediatric deaths from influenza during the 2017-2018 flu season, up from 110 in the previous year.