TRAVERSE CITY -- Flu season is approaching and area health agencies are helping you fight back against the illness.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC)  recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available in their community.

Vaccination before December is best since this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is typically at its highest. CDC continues to encourage people to get vaccinated throughout the flu season, which can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Over the course of the flu season, many different influenza viruses can circulate at different times and in different places. As long as flu viruses are still spreading in the community, vaccination can provide protective benefit.

This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are three types of vaccines: The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.  The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.  New this year -- an intradermal flu vaccine that's delivered through a tiny needle in the skin.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

The CDC says this year's flu shot was designed to protect against the seasonal flu and H1N1. The vaccine only protects for about a year, so experts say an annual flu shot is necessary. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated.  While most people only need one shot, some kids may need two.

For more details on when flu shots are available you can contact your area health department or your family doctor. 

Grand Traverse County Health Department:  (231) 922-4831

Health Department of Northwest Michigan: (800) 432-4121 

District Health Department #10: (231) 775-9942 

Are you planning on getting your flu shot?  Tell us "Your Point of View" by taking part in the poll below and leaving your comments.