KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jackson County has already reported 21 cases of the flu this season. Doctors say the best way to prevent it is the flu shot.
The flu season usually starts in October, peaking in December through February.
Two years ago, Jackson County reported 944 flu cases in people between the ages of 25 and 49.
Last season, that number climbed to 1,812.
Doctor Gary Salzman, with Truman Medical Center says the number one myth doctors are trying to debunk is that the flu vaccination causes the flu.
“I think that's the number one thing that people have the misperception of getting the flu shot will cause them to get the flu and it absolutely does not,” Salzman said. “It is a life-saving thing. It also, to think about other people or children, if you get the flu, you could give it to them, so by you getting the shot, it'll protect your loved ones from them getting sick.”
Salzman states this year’s vaccination is different from last year’s.
“They have redesigned the flu shot this year,” Salzman said. “There's a lot of different options for the flu shot. People over the age of 65 can get a high-dose flu shot, which is four-times more antigen in the flu shot and so it will tend to be more effective in older people.”
If people want the higher dose, you do have to ask for it.
Other things to keep in mind during this season is proper hand washing, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough and also staying home if you’re sick, to prevent others from getting sick.
