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Flu Season: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

September 18, 2024 / Niki Elliott

As flu season approaches, it is essential to understand why getting a flu shot should be a priority. The flu, or Influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can lead to mild to severe symptoms and, in some cases, can result in hospitalization or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from the flu.


Why Get the Flu Shot?

  1. Protect Yourself and Others Influenza is highly contagious, spreading through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Getting vaccinated helps protect you and vulnerable individuals in your community, such as infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems who are at higher risk for severe illness.
  2. Prevent Severe Illness While the flu shot does not guarantee you will not get it, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications. Studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of going to the doctor by 40% to 60%. For those who do catch the flu after vaccination, the illness tends to be milder and shorter-lasting.
  3. Reduce the Strain on Healthcare Systems During flu season, hospitals and healthcare systems can become overwhelmed with flu-related cases, especially when the flu season coincides with other outbreaks. By vaccinating, you help reduce the strain on healthcare systems and allow resources to be available for other needy patients.


When Should You Get Vaccinated?

The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get an annual flu shot, ideally by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated later in the flu season is still beneficial, as flu activity can continue into spring.


How Effective Is the Flu Vaccine?

Flu viruses are constantly evolving, and the flu vaccine is updated yearly to protect against the strains that research suggests will be most common. While flu vaccine effectiveness can vary, recent studies show that it reduces the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60%. Even when the vaccine does not perfectly match the virus, it offers important protection.


Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Certain groups are at higher risk for flu-related complications and should prioritize getting the flu shot, including:

  • Pregnant women
  • Children under 5, especially those under 2
  • Adults over 65
  • People with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
  • Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities


Flu Vaccine Safety

According to the CDC, flu vaccines have a good safety record. Some people may experience mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, muscle aches, or a low-grade fever. These side effects are typically short-lived and much less severe than a flu infection.


Conclusion

Flu season is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: getting vaccinated is your best defense. It helps protect you from severe illness and reduces the spread of the virus to those around you. Make your health and the well-being of your community a priority this flu season by getting your flu shot.


For more information, visit the CDC’s official influenza and vaccination recommendations website.

Find a health center near you and schedule your flu shot today!