Parkland urges North Texas to get vaccinated ahead of flu season
Walk-in Wednesdays at Parkland community health centers make access easier
North Texas is coming off last year’s flu season that hit children especially hard, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the season as moderate overall. As fall settles in and a new flu season begins, now is the best time to protect yourself and the people you care about by getting your flu shot. Parkland Health has this season's vaccines on hand and readily available.
In Dallas County, flu-related emergency room visits across the Metroplex surged past 6,700 in a single week at the height of last year’s outbreak, driven mainly by the influenza A(H3N2) subtype.
According to the CDC, flu hospitalizations last season nationally reached their third-highest level since the 2010-2011 season, while children experienced the second-highest pediatric hospitalization rate in more than a decade. At least 158 children died from the flu through early May last season, and roughly 85% of them were not fully vaccinated.
“The flu hit especially hard last season, so getting ahead of it early this year matters more than ever,” said Donna Persaud, MD, Board-Certified Pediatrician and Medical Director of Parkland’s Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES). “Since it typically takes about two weeks for antibody levels to build after the flu shot, we recommend getting vaccinated early in the fall before the season picks up.”
Patients of all ages can get a flu shot at any of Parkland’s community health centers at no cost.
To save time, take advantage of Walk-In Wednesdays at several of our locations when a dedicated team provides flu vaccines from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. No appointment is needed. Walk-in availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to target the strains most likely to circulate. Vaccination lowers the risk of getting the flu and can make illness less severe if you do get sick. Flu activity in the U.S. typically increases between December and February, although some seasons continue into spring.
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization, including young children, older adults and people managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma or cancer. The flu can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, which can be life-threatening for people with weakened immune systems.
With flu season approaching, Parkland encourages North Texans to get vaccinated now before flu activity increases.
"The flu vaccine works,” Dr. Persaud said. “It’s highly effective at preventing hospitalizations, ER visits, and severe illness, especially in children and older adults. By protecting ourselves, we also protect our family, friends and community.”
To learn more about the flu and where to get your shot, visit www.parklandhealth.org/flu. For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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