Doctors say now is the time to get the flu shot

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — It’s that time of the year to get your flu shot.

“The single most important thing that you can do to prevent and make sure you are safe ... get a flu shot," said Dr. Fernando Fan, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente.

Fan said that flu season traditionally starts in Bakersfield as early as February. However, it is an unpredictable disease, and it is best to get the shot early.

"Sometimes, it can start very early ... just depends on how infectious it is, and sometimes it varies," he said.

Fan said the flu shot lasts between six months to a year.

At this time, the Kern County Public Health Department has reported no cases of the flu locally. However, the number of flu cases that get reported can get tricky.

According to officials, the only cases required by statute to be reported to the health department are flu-related deaths in people under the age of 65. They request that hospitals also send them reports of patients admitted to the ICU for the flu, but that is not required by law.

Health officials said the average person who goes to their regular doctor for the flu is not reported to the health department.