City-County Health Department prepares for flu season

Flu season starts next Wednesday, but that’s not stopping the Pueblo City-County Health Department from getting the word out about getting a flu shot.

The county experienced a spike last flu season after there were 51 reported cases of people having the flu, that tripled from the season before when it was 17.

“We don’t know how severe influenza is going to be from year to year,” Dr. Chris Nevin-Woods said.

This season the Health Department is going to do something different to make sure the flu numbers don’t reach that high again.

“We’re going to have a campaign to educate people about the need for the flu vaccine,” Nevin-Woods said.

But not everyone wants a flu shot.

“Flu shots disrupt the body,” Barbara Folger said. She is against the vaccine.

She believes the body can heal itself naturally.

“If you eat healthy and exercise, I think you will not be as likely to get the flu,” Folger said.

Nevin-Woods said it takes more than natural remedies to protect the body.

“Some of those people (who use natural remedies) have become quite ill and went to the hospital,” she said.

Nevin-Woods said if you get a flu shot, it will take two weeks for it to become effective.

The Health Department said flu season ends in the spring.