COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — With flu season upon us, doctors with Prisma Health are urging everyone to get their annual flu shot. But why do we have to get it every year? Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Pamela Bailey says the flu virus is constantly shifting. “The flu is a bit of a hoarder. It will pick up different bits from some of these different viruses, maybe in birds, in animals, in other humans, and it’ll say ‘Oh I like this this one makes me a stronger virus this year,’ but because we don’t know exactly which bit it will pick up, we are not able to predict with 100% certainty what flu virus to put in the vaccine,” she says. But, Dr. Bailey believes that’s no reason to pass on getting it. “Even in seasons where we don’t have a great match and people still get the flu once they’ve been exposed, they’re still less likely to have a severe infection and land in the hospital,” she says. Especially for senior citizens, with more than half of hospitalizations affecting the older community. Geriatric Medicine Specialist Dr. Laurie Theriot says high dose flu vaccines are available for patients 65 years or older — which have four times the same antigens as the regular vaccine to help your body create a stronger immune response. “If you’re over the age of 65 and the high dose is available, that would be the recommended dose for you. If it’s not available, then still take the standard flu dose, because it’s still more important to receive your flu vaccine than to hold out for the high dose, hoping it becomes available,” she says. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch say the vaccine is safe for everyone, including infants over the age of six months old — and it’s just as important for younger healthy adults to get the shot as well. “I see young healthy people die every year of influenza. And perhaps not die, although that does happen, but also people get heart inflammation and lung inflammation that is permanent,” says Dr. Bailey. Along with getting your flu shot, doctors recommend washing your hands often to help prevent getting sick. Free flu shots are available in many areas across the Midlands. For a link to find a location, visit Prisma Health’s website here.  Categories: Local News, News Tags: Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, Dr. Laurie Theriot, Dr. Pamela Bailey, Flu, Flu shot, Prisma Health