Flu season is right around the corner and experts are urging all community members to get vaccinated. 

"The more people that get vaccinated, the better our whole community is protected from that flu virus from becoming a serious problem," said Denise Smith with Kern County Public Health. 

Last year was one of the deadliest flu seasons in decades. According to the Center for Disease Control, 80,000 people died of flu complications in the United States last winter.  

Here in Kern County, Public Health says two people under the age of 65 died from the flu last season. 

"Many people who end up becoming seriously ill with the flu, and often times dying, are people who did not get vaccinated," said Smith. 

Flu season typically starts around November 1st. Smith advises getting the vaccine as soon as possible in order for it to be the most effective. 

The CDC says there are some people who should not get the flu vaccine, such as children under the age of 6 months, people with severe life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine like gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients.

Related articles: Free and low-cost flu clinics around Kern County