MOBILE, Ala., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As flu season gets underway, Accordia Health encourages everyone eligible to get the annual flu vaccine. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. It can cause serious illness, lead to hospitalization, and, in some cases, result in death.

"It can be very dangerous. It can result in hospitalizations and even death for some people," explained Dr. Cameron Kilpatrick, a board-certified family medicine physician with Accordia Health. "The people who are especially vulnerable are going to be your older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic disease conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, and heart disease, among others."

Flu season typically runs from October through May, although activity can begin earlier and varies each year.

"It did start earlier this year. I saw some flu cases even this summer," added Kilpatrick. "Every year has been a little bit different, especially since COVID, when we were all in our homes for a while."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions.

Why Get Vaccinated Every Year?

The flu vaccine is updated each year to help protect against the viral strains expected to circulate each season. Vaccination reduces the risk of getting the flu and can help prevent serious complications.

"The vaccine is our best tool that we have for protecting everyone in the community," Dr. Kilpatrick said. "It protects the person who receives the vaccine. It also protects the community members around them, especially those who aren't eligible to receive the vaccine."

Dr. Kilpatrick recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible. It typically takes about two weeks for the body to develop protection after vaccination. However, if you haven't received your vaccine by October, it's not too late to get one while flu viruses are circulating.

"Getting the flu shot as soon as possible is going to provide you with the best possible protection for the longest amount of time. That being said, flu is still circulating through May, and anytime you're able to get that vaccine, it's going to provide you and your community members with protection," she added.

Can the Flu Vaccine Give You the Flu?

A common misconception is that the flu shot can cause influenza. Dr. Kilpatrick wants people to understand that this is not the case.

"It's not a live virus. You cannot contract the flu from getting the flu vaccine," she explained.

Flu shots use inactivated viruses or specific viral proteins, which cannot cause influenza. Some people may experience mild, temporary side effects, such as soreness at the injection site or muscle aches.

Protecting Others Starts With You

Vaccination is especially important for protecting people who are more vulnerable to serious illness, including infants too young to receive a flu vaccine and individuals with certain chronic health conditions.

"It's really important to protect the other members of your community, the people who are more vulnerable, like your grandma with heart disease or diabetes, or the little baby who was just born that you want to go visit. Get your flu shot to protect them as well," Dr. Kilpatrick said.

In addition to vaccination, regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with others when sick can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. People who cannot receive a flu vaccine should take extra precautions around those at increased risk.

This flu season, Accordia Health encourages community members to make vaccination part of their preventive healthcare routine. Contact your healthcare provider to discuss your flu vaccine options and get vaccinated as soon as possible. Taking this step can help protect you and the people around you.

ABOUT ACCORDIA HEALTH

Accordia Health is a leading provider of comprehensive health services, deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve in Alabama. Operated by AltaPointe Health, our team of dedicated professionals offers a wide range of medical, dental, and behavioral health services to individuals of all ages. Accordia Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center and offers a sliding fee discount program, with locations in Bayou La Batre, Citronelle, Foley, Mobile, Rockford, and Saraland.

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SOURCE Accordia Health