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It's that time of year again, when people begin to worry about getting the flu.

Doctors tell us a flu shot is the best protection.

But many people remain skeptical.

So KRCG's Facebook Crew talked with health experts Thursday to find out if flu shots really work.

Jefferson City resident, Terry Ehrsam got his flu shot Thursday at the Cole County Health Department.

He tells me he hasn't gone without a shot in years because it helps him avoid getting the flu.

"Being over 65-years of age, I feel that it's the very important to get a flu shot each year,” Jefferson City Resident Terry Ehrsam said.

But how reliable are flu shots?

A nurse from the Cole County Health Department tells me they're very reliable.

"If you can get a vaccine to help protect you, why not do it? You know getting influenza is far worse than getting a shot,” CCHD Immunization Coordinator Jessi Kempker said.

I spoke with a number of people Thursday who told me they get sick after a flu shot.

So can flu shots make you sick?

Kempker told me no. She said if you got sick after a flu shot it was just an coincidence.

"You don't get sick from a flu shot. Common side affects of the flu shot would be soreness in the arm, aches and pains, low grade fever, or some swelling by the injection site. But the flu shot will not make you sick,” Kempker said.

The number of people seeking flu shots often depends on the severity of the disease and how much media attention it gets.

So is this year's flu season going to be as bad as the one in 2009?

"You never know from season to season. That's why we want everyone to get their flu shots, so they can be protected in case it's a bad year,” JCMG Nurse Tami Caine said.

The Cole County Health Department is giving flu shots every day between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm.

JCMG is holding flu shot clinics on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Original Story:

It's that time of year again where people start feeling yucky, because they get the flu.

Doctors tell us one way to prevent that is by getting a flu shot.

But how important are flu shots?

If you get a flu shot, will it actually prevent you from getting the flu?

Tonight at ten KRCG's Facebook Crew talks with doctors to find out how important flu shots really are, and what this year's flu season looks like.