Flu season begins, now with more choices for vaccination

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Flu season has started. Now there are more options than ever when it comes to protecting yourself against influenza.

With all the concern about Ebola and enteroviruses, doctors say many don't take the proper action to protect themselves against the one disease they can.

Influenza kills up to 30,000 Americans a year. So public health officials say it's time to get a flu shot. And you have choices.

You see the signs everywhere announcing the flu vaccine is available, yet so many people just walk on by. Many people don't believe the vaccine is effective.

"The vaccine prevents illness about 80 percent of the time for those under 60, and about half the time for those over 65," said Dr. Orly Avitzur, a regular contributor to Consumer Reports. "But even if you do get sick after the vaccine, your symptoms are usually milder."

For the broadest protection, the experts at Consumer Reports say you should consider the new quadrivalent vaccine over the standard trivalent type.

"The trivalent vaccine protects against three strains of the flu virus, and the quadrivalent vaccine protects against four," said Avitzur. "But if that one isn't covered by your insurance policy, you'll have to pay about $38 out of pocket."

For children ages 2 to 8, studies show the FluMist spray offers better protection than a shot. Like the quadrivalent injectible vaccine, FluMist contains protect against four types of strains. And for kids a spray in the nose is a lot easier to handle than a needle.

"The nasal spray is made of a weakened but still-active live virus. So it shouldn't be given to people with poor immune systems or their caregivers, pregnant women, or anyone over 50," said Avitzur.

If you do feel the flu coming on, ask your doctor within the first day or two about prescribing anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza, which can ease flu symptoms and reduce complications like pneumonia.

Now it's easier than ever to find a place to get your flu shot. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers free flu shots, and in many cases, no appointment is needed. And many pharmacies offer flu vaccines in places like churches and community centers.