Local Officials Urge Flu ShotBanner that says:
Get yourself and your family vaccinated! a yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
Local Officials Urge Flu Shot

Brewton, AL - Health officials with the Escambia County Healthcare Authority are urging citizens to get the influenza (Flu) shot. Medical clinics in Atmore, Brewton and Flomaton are available to give you the vaccine.

"With the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect this year's flu season to be very different than in years past," Stated Cindy Lancaster, DW McMillan Infection Control Nurse. "People will go to the Dr. or ER thinking they have the flu and may actually have COVID or it may be the other way around. That's why this year it is especially important to go ahead and get your flu shot."

According to the CDC the flu vaccine is safe. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received the flu vaccine over the past 50 years, and there has been extensive research supporting the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. Each year, CDC works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other partners to ensure the highest safety standards for flu vaccines.

Officials stated that it is best to get vaccinated before the flu begins to spread. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu, so the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely it is that you will be protected once flu begins to circulate in our communities.

When asked about why people who do not like getting shots should get the flu, Lancaster stated, "The minor pain of a flu shot is nothing compared to the suffering that may be caused by the flu."

A flu vaccine reduces your risk of illness, hospitalization, and can prevent you from spreading the virus to your loved ones. So, whatever little discomfort you feel from the minor side effects of the flu shot is worthwhile to avoid the flu.

Flu Shots are available at:
- ACH Family Physicians
- ACH Med Plus
- ACH Primary Care
- DW McMillan After Hours Clinic
- DW McMillan Medical Center
- DW McMillan Primary Care
- Flomaton Medical Center