• Many people are getting their flu shot to prepare for the flu season.

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - It's that time of year again- the beginning of flu season.

Angela Minicuci, Public Information Officer with the Michigan Department of Community Health, said, "Typically, in Michigan, the flu season starts in the fall and usually lasts until the spring, so about now is when we begin to see our first cases."

And Physician Shane Martin said now is also the time they are trying to get people immunized, so the spread and transmission of the flu can be prevented throughout the season.

Martin added that he doesn't always tell his patients not to go to a family function. But he does advise them to avoid close, close contact if possible, especially with those who are very young, or very old or just aren't as well-equipped to fighting off infection.

"Not that you can't be in the same room as a person, but maybe avoid the hugging and the kissing," Martin said.

In fact, Minicuci said last season there were seven children who died form the flu in Michigan and nationally, there were roughly 200 pediatric deaths.

"These are extremely preventable if we can keep ourselves healthy from vaccination or just making sure through general hygiene that we're not spreading the virus, it's a really good way to protect our most vulnerable populations," Minicuci said.

According to Minicuci, the single best protection from getting the flu is to have your flu shot. However, there are other things you can do to prevent yourself form getting the flu that are as simple as washing your hands.

Along with washing your hands, Martin said it's good to disinfect anything that other people may come in contact with.

Because there is constant contact between individuals within a community, Minicuci said the Michigan Department of Community Health really stresses the idea of a "community of immunity" by trying to get everyone vaccinated in a society that they possibly can.