CONTRIBUTED PHOTO - Amid all the focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, U.S. health experts have another plea: Don’t skip your flu shot. With U.S. schools and businesses reopened, international travel resuming and far less masking this fall, flu is likely to make a comeback.

Flu season is here, with local pharmacies offering jabs and with the season’s peak around the corner.

Marshall County Public Health Director Pat Thompson says people should get their flu shots now, with the best time being before October when flu season begins.

“Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October,” Thompson said.

She said peak flu season is considered to be in January and February, but the flu can be caught all year round. Because people congregate more inside in the winter and fall months, viruses are more likely to be spread.

Thompson said she has said for years that the flu shot is the only protection others have against the flu. The flu vaccine protects against four different strains making the vaccine a “quadrivalent” vaccine. The strains include two influenza A viruses, the H1N1 virus and H3N2 virus, and two influenza B viruses.

Not everyone can get the flu shot, including babies less than six months old and those with an allergy to the vaccine.

“One of the ideas is that we get the flu shot so we don’t get the flu and we don’t give it to somebody else, including a little baby or other people that can’t get it,” Thompson said.

Thompson said it was shown there weren’t as many positive flu cases last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the flu wasn’t tested for as much because testing was concentrated on COVID-19. Masks, social distancing and isolation also helped combat the flu last year.

“Exposure was really cut back because of going through the pandemic and the things we did to prevent spread,” Thompson said.

For those who may be feeling unwell during this year’s flu season, Thompson’s recommendation is to act as if it’s COVID until you know differently.

“I’ve had a couple of people always just had just runny nose or thought it was a cold that ends up being COVID,” Thompson said. “Not all of them are like that, we know that, but to me I would err on the side of caution.”

That also means staying home when you feel sick.

“Believe me, we understand that is difficult to do because there’s bills to be paid and people that depend on you at work and those types of things,” Thompson said. “Just make some wise decisions, wear your mask, that type of thing to help prevent spread.”

Where to get a flu shot in Marshalltown

The flu vaccine is available through McFarland Clinic primary care offices, and an appointment can be made online or by calling your primary care provider’s office. McFarland Clinic also has upcoming drive through clinics for ages 12 and up with indoor clinics for all ages at their southside office at 303 Nicholas Dr. The next drive through clinic is Tuesday, Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Indoor clinics are Friday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call or make an appointment online.

UnityPoint Health states to call your primary care provider to schedule your flu shot now.

Hy-Vee currently has the flu shot available with no appointment or prescription necessary. Drive-through flu shot clinics are available now through Oct. 30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Walgreens currently has flu shots available by appointment or by walk-in.

Walmart pharmacies also have flu shots available by appointment or by walk-in.