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Protect Yourself This Flu Season
October 15, 2025
Each year, influenza sends thousands of Minnesotans to the hospital. Getting a seasonal flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from serious illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later can still help, since flu season in Minnesota often peaks between December and February but may last through April or even May. October is an ideal time to get your shot so your protection lasts through the entire season.
Your immunity to the flu decreases over time, even if you were vaccinated or had the flu in a past season. Because influenza viruses constantly change, the vaccine is updated every year to protect against the most common strains expected to circulate. A flu shot received last year will not provide full protection this year, which is why annual vaccination is essential.
After receiving the vaccine, it takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies that provide protection. During that time, it is important to take extra precautions such as washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, and steering clear of crowded spaces when flu activity is high. These habits also help reduce the spread of other respiratory infections like COVID-19.
Flu vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of complications, including adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Health care workers and caregivers should also be vaccinated to help prevent spreading illness to vulnerable individuals.
If you do get the flu, antiviral medications prescribed by your health care provider can help lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of illness. These medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin.
Simple preventive steps such as covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and keeping your hands clean remain important throughout flu season. Combined with vaccination, these measures provide the best defense against influenza and help you stay healthy all winter long.
Both Mille Lacs Health System Community Pharmacy locations in Onamia and Isle welcome walk-ins for adult flu vaccinations. Pharmacy vaccine hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you already have a clinic appointment scheduled, you can also request your flu vaccination during that visit. Youth under 18 years old require a clinic appointment with a nurse. To schedule a clinic appointment, call 320-532-3154.