CENTRAL OHIO -- As Central Ohioans get ready for Thanksgiving, they also should be preparing for the seasonal flu.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Columbus Public Health officials said everyone needs to be careful when heading to family celebrations.
Covering your cough and staying home when sick are still common-sense guidelines, but CPH staff encouraged people to be aware this holiday season.
Germs can spread easily in large group gatherings where there is a lot of handshaking and hugging.
"Definitely be mindful of sharing food, sharing hugs, sharing kisses. Keep your distances if you have to," said Mysheika Lemaile-Williams, of Columbus Public Health.
CPH suggested the continued use of hand sanitizers and said it's important to get the seasonal-influenza vaccine along with the H1N1 vaccine.
CPH said it expects to get more seasonal vaccine and H1N1 clinics in coming weeks will likely include adults with chronic, underlying health conditions.
An H1N1 clinic Tuesday night at COSI on West Broad Street is for children ages 6 months to 18 years old, caregivers of children younger than 6 months, pregnant women and medical-care staff who provide direct patient care to potential patients with H1N1. Come out to the clinic from 5 to 8 p.m.
Both CPH and local doctors said you can't contract influenza from the vaccine.
"There are some people who after they get the vaccine or the shot they have some mild symptoms that they think are the flu, but they're not. They're just their body's response to the vaccine," Williams said.
They said if you feel ill afterward, it is more likely that your body is getting used to the vaccine or you might have already come down with the flu before getting the vaccine.
Dr. Sandy Melmed said getting sick from the flu shot is an urban legend.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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