Lolita Harper
MAGNOLIA PARK DISTRICT -- Senior citizens are typically hardest hit by
the flu because of an aged and weakened immune system and should get
vaccinated, according to the American Red Cross.
Official flu season is from January to March, but people are
encouraged to get vaccinated early because the vaccine takes two weeks to
take effect, said Lourdes del Rio-Valdes of the American Red Cross.
Centers for Disease Control expect the A-Panama, A-New Calendonia and
B-Yamanashi strains to be most common in the upcoming flu season. The
vaccine is specially formulated to be effective against these specific
strains.
Volunteer nurses from the American Red Cross will be on hand to
administer free flu vaccines from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Joslyn
Senior Center, 1301 W. Olive St. For information, call (213)739-6813.
