Spot News Story #1

­­Flu death reports hit 23 in Arkansas including a child, and totals are expected to rise in the state and nationally.

Over 1,000 people have been diagnosed with the flu in the last week with the state’s first pediatric death, 48 percent of those being Influenza A and 52 percent being Influenza B, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

As flu season peaks, local pharmacists encourage those who have not yet received a flu shot to get one.

Victoria Hennessey, pharmacy manager at Community Pharmacy in Springdale, said we are still very early into the flu season and everyone still has time to get a shot.

“Flu season is from October until June,” Hennessey said. “It is absolutely not too late to get a flu shot.”

The Influenza virus kills approximately 61,000 people annually, according to the Center for Disease Control. Hennessey said though the flu shot is not 100 percent effective at preventing the flu from occurring, it will lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of the virus.

“The vaccine takes approximately two weeks to have full effect,” Hennessey said.

The flu is most dangerous in infants younger than 6 months and people over the age of 65, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Hennessey said she encourages those who aren’t sure about the flu shot to think about how their choice could affect others.

“People are more likely to get the flu vaccine when you remind them of how not getting it can impact them and the people they love,” Hennessey said.