County health departments in Oklahoma are offering the flu vaccine as the flu season approaches.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health says flu vaccination is recommended each year for everyone over six months old. They say that the more people who are vaccinated, the less opportunity there is for flu to spread.
State Health Commissioner Terry Cline says vaccination is particularly important for pregnant women and newborn babies. Cline says flu vaccination is safe during pregnancy, after delivery and for breastfeeding women.
The department says that people older than 65 and those with chronic health conditions should also ask their doctor about also being vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a common and potentially serious complication of the flu.