SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) -Temperatures are still high, and flu season may not be on your mind, but Utah’s health community says it should be.
They give four reasons to think flu shot: it's available now, it takes two weeks to take effect, flu season has started as early as October in past years, and it can still be deadly.
Dr. Kathryn Gibson a family practice doctor at the University of Utah says up to fifty thousand people in a flu season. Most of those could have been vaccinated. She says the elderly, pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable. “It’s very difficult to see kids get sick and have life complications from disease that they can immunized from with very little risk.”
At the State Health Department they are already tracking the flu in other parts of the world. Based on that information, the CDC has recommended the same vaccine this year as last, and it includes H1N1, Swine Flu.
Rich Laken from the Utah Department of Health says there is no way of knowing how mild or severe this season will be. "We can't predict what the season is going to be. The best thing that we can do is make recommendations for people to get the vaccine."
If you were immunized last year he says don't think you are exempt this year. "Your immune system doesn't have the flu vaccine still in your body each year. You still have to get it."
Dr. Gibson says it quick and easy, with few side effects. She says she believes most of us have time. "You can walk in without an appointment, get flu shot, and walk out within five minutes, and so if you have time to swing by to get McDonalds with your kids, you have time to get them a flu shot."
The flu season usually begins in November and peaks in February, but because it's unpredictable, health officials say the sooner the better.
To find a location with flu vaccine visit
http://www.immunize-utah.org 
