The flu makes life miserable for a week or two for many people, but it is deadly for some. Flu season can start as early as October and peaks anywhere from late December to early April.

You can prevent the flu this season by taking one simple step: Get a flu vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), September and October are the best times for most people to be vaccinated for the flu. The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated, with few exceptions.

Check with your healthcare provider regarding the vaccine, or you can get a flu shot at our walk-in clinic at Aultman Medical Group North Canton Medical Center. No appointments are necessary, and walk-ins are welcome from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from now through Nov. 17. Visit aultman.org/vaccinate for more information.

Vaccine Facts

The flu vaccine is usually given by shot. This form of the vaccine has killed virus and is approved for most people older than 6 months of age. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who have never been vaccinated need two doses given one month apart to build up protection. Get the first dose as soon as it is available so that the second dose can be administered before the end of October. After the first flu season, your child needs only one dose for future flu seasons.

A nasal spray made of live but weakened flu virus is also offered by some healthcare providers for healthy, nonpregnant people ages 2 to 49. A needle-free device called a jet injector, offered by some providers, can give a two-dose flu vaccine through the skin into the muscle, available for people from 18 to 64 years old.

A flu vaccine is especially important for those who are more likely to have problems if they get the flu. This includes:

• Children younger than 5 years, and especially younger than 2 years (but older than 6 months)

• People 65 years and older

• Those with long-term (chronic) health conditions or a weak immune system

• Anyone who lives in a nursing home or care facility

• Pregnant people and people who have had a baby in the last two weeks

• American Indians and Alaska Natives

• People with a body mass index of 40 or more

Even if you don't fall into any of the above groups, you should still get the vaccine if you want to prevent the flu.

Talk With Your Healthcare Provider First

Some people shouldn't be vaccinated for the flu before talking with their healthcare provider, the CDC says. These are reasons to talk with your healthcare provider:

• You have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.

• You developed Guillain-Barré syndrome in the six weeks after getting a flu shot in the past.

• You currently have an illness with a fever.

Children younger than 6 months of age should not be vaccinated against the flu. Flu vaccines haven't been approved for that age group.

Other Prevention Steps

Flu viruses are spread by contact with droplets sneezed or coughed from an infected person. Breathing in the droplets and touching objects on which droplets have landed are common ways people get the flu. You can spread the virus to others before you feel sick yourself. The CDC says you are contagious a day before symptoms start and up to five days afterward.

Protect yourself by washing your hands before eating, not putting your hands near your face or in your mouth and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when around others. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and clean, running water works fine. If soap and water are not available, rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner that contains at least 60% alcohol.

If someone in your family has the flu, you can help prevent it from spreading by wearing a mask and by cleaning surfaces with a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water.