Flu season is approaching, and Santa Clarita Valley residents are wondering what measures they can take to avoid getting the flu.

The exact timing indicating the start of flu season varies from year to year, but flu diagnosis rates typically start to go up during October, peaking in December all through February and sometimes lasting until the end of May, according to officials.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officials recommend that everyone over the age of six months receive the flu vaccine. However, officials also say that the vaccine alone will not prevent someone from getting the flu. Everyday actions such as staying away from sick people and washing hands can also help, according to officials.

Officials advise those who wish to receive the flu vaccination to get the shot before the flu starts to spread in their communities, as it takes approximately two weeks for the antibodies in the vaccination to take into effect. CDC officials recommend getting vaccinated by the end of October.

Related: CDC Urges Everyone, Especially Pregnant Women To Get Flu Shot

Flu vaccines are offered by many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers and even some schools.

Each year, the CDC takes inventory of the number of people infected during the flu season, as well as those who require hospitalization. CDC officials estimate that the flu has resulted in between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations each year since 2010.

Santa Clarita residents will also soon be able to get their flu shots at the new Facey Medical Group Canyon Country facility if they are patients, according to Bob Lehner, director of marketing and medical foundations for Facey.

While the Facey program is not open to the general public, the medical group is accepting new patients.

“Facey is actively accepting new patients in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Lehner said. “If these new patients would like to establish care and receive the flu shot, we can assist with getting them scheduled.”

The grand opening event for the new Canyon Country Facility is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m at 14550 Soledad Canyon Road.

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