Flu Vaccine
Flu Vaccine: Some Key Facts
Why get vaccinated?
Influenza (“flu”) is a serious disease that carries serious health consequences. Every year people talk about a flu season (in the United States, it can range from October to as late as May), but each flu season is different, and the influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way of protecting yourself and others around you from getting sick from the flu.
How does the Flu Vaccine work?
Flu shots inject weakened forms of the flu into your bloodstream, this allows the body to form protective antibodies. These antibodies develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. So that when the live flu virus is circulating, the antibodies are already available to fight back.1
Flu Shot Process. “Why You Should Get a Flu Shot” Web. 2016.
Who should get vaccinated?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. This includes – Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, pregnant women and people with medical conditions such as: Asthma, chronic lung disease, neurological conditions, heart disease, sickle cell, weakened immune system and those with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more. Please see the CDC website on people at high risk of developing flu-related complications for more information.
Why should you get the vaccine?
The main reason for the flu vaccine is to keep you from getting sick, and if you do happen to get sick from the flu, it can help reduce the severity of the illness/lower your risk of developing serious health complications. Getting vaccinated protects people around you, especially those who are more vulnerable.
Click here for more information from the CDC and feel free to contact us as well, and/or to schedule an appointment for your flu vaccine.
Sources:1http://goo.gl/Qwab03; 2http://goo.gl/Q7eme