"As soon as you get the influenza vaccine your body starts to build an immunity to it. So, although it takes two weeks to build up your full immunity to the influenza virus, you are immediately receiving the benefits," says McCasland.
McCasland says 37 people with the flu are hospitalized in intensive care units in Sacramento County.
She says even more people may have died from the flu, but state and local health departments don't keep track of flu deaths in the 65-and-over population.
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