Marion County Public Health Nurse Manager Judi Van Hulzen is reminding people how important it is to get an influenza shot now that flu season is upon us.

Van Hulzen says children under the age of 6 months, adults over the age of 65, and those who have chronic health problems are most vulnerable to getting the flu, so people around them on a regular basis should be vaccinated. She adds the flu is a respiratory illness and shouldn’t be confused with a gastrointestinal ailment, such as the misnamed, “stomach flu”.

Some of the symptoms of influenza include fatigue, achiness, fever, chills, along with a runny or stuffy nose.

Van Hulzen says flu shots can be obtained at most area pharmacies, through your primary care provider, the free clinic, or Marion County Public Health.