Flu Shots Are Still Recommended Despite A Mild Oklahoma Flu Season

It's been the mildest flu season in decades, and it started months later than it normally does. But now that flu season is here, some Tulsans are wondering does my flu shot still work?

The Tulsa City-County Health Department says they haven't seen numbers like this in a long time. This year in Oklahoma, about 23 people have been hospitalized because of the flu. That's compared to over 600 this time last year.

The Centers for Disease Control classifies Oklahoma as minimally affected by the flu.

But last week, we had a sobering reminder of the dangers of the virus. A senior at Vian High School died after being hospitalized with pneumonia and flu-like symptoms.

Health officials say it is still important to be vaccinated.

"The main negative thing that I can think about is that if they haven't got the flu yet and nobody they know, you know they may think, well, they don't need it. But they do still need it. We're really right in the peak of flu season for Oklahoma," said Janice Sheehan.

So even though it's been mild, this is technically the peak of flu season.

Janice Sheehan says no matter when you were vaccinated, either late last year or this year, the vaccine is good until the end of June.

Flu shots are still widely available, and usually cost less than $30.

Children under 6 months can't be vaccinated, so Sheehan stresses it's important that parents at least get the shot to protect their baby.