PROMOTIONAL SECTION
As flu season gets underway, now is the time to take steps to protect yourself, your family and your community. One of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of serious illness is to get an annual flu vaccine.
“Getting the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and the people around you,” said Dawn Higgins, lead infection preventionist at TidalHealth. “Getting the vaccine every year helps reduce the risk of getting sick, can lower the severity of illness if you do get the flu, and helps prevent the spread of flu throughout the community.”
The flu vaccine has been updated for the 2026-2027 season to provide protection against influenza viruses that are expected to circulate. Because flu viruses change over time — and protection from vaccination decreases — it is important to get vaccinated each year, Higgins said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop, so getting vaccinated before flu activity increases can provide important protection throughout the season.
While the flu may cause mild illness for some people, it can lead to serious complications, hospitalization and even death.
During Maryland’s 2025-2026 flu season, which began Sept. 28, 2025, 5,939 people were hospitalized with influenza. The state also reported 168 adult deaths and one pediatric death associated with the flu.
“While flu vaccination remains our best method for preventing serious illness and keeping our community healthy, it is also important to follow other prevention methods,” Higgins said. “These include staying home when you are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with others when you have respiratory symptoms.”
Flu vaccines are available at TidalHealth Community Pharmacy locations:
North Ocean Pines
11101 Cathage Road
410-543-4769
South Ocean Pines
10614 Racetrack Road, Suite 7
410-629-6240
Berlin
9733 Healthway Drive, inside TidalHealth Atlantic
410-641-1100
The following are all flu symptoms, though someone doesn’t have to have all of these to have the flu, even a fever, according to the CDC.
