Local News

Actions

Why get a flu shot? Nevada doctors, officials explain

Posted at 11:58 PM, Sep 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-09 03:02:46-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It might seem early, but Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and health professionals are urging everyone to get a flu shot while the pandemic continues.

Gov. Sisolak and Nevada’s first lady Kathy Sisolak got their flu shots on Tuesday and officials say the shot will offer protection from flu season which typically begins in September.

Nevada governor, first lady receive annual flu shot

Contrary to myths, doctors say the vaccine is effective and it’s better to get it earlier than later.

"You absolutely do not get the flu from the flu shot. The shots do have some symptoms that can come with local pain and inflammation at the injection site and some people can have a low-grade fever but the flu shot absolutely does not give you the flu,” said Dr. Marc Kahn, of UNLV school of medicine.

Doctors urge public to get the flu shot amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Southern Nevada Health District will start offering flu vaccines at its public health centers on Sept. 14.

"We need to make sure that at this time we don't overwhelm the system with flu issues at our hospitals. Our frontline workers, as I said for the last six months, have been working like crazy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And we want to make sure the flu doesn't become an overlapping issue,” Gov. Sisolak said.