National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 4 through 10, reminds us of the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. While there is typically a flurry of flu vaccination when the vaccine becomes available in the fall, influenza vaccination activity tends to drop quickly after the end of November.
Even though the holiday season has arrived, it is not too late to get the flu vaccine. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can provide protection against the flu and should continue. Even unvaccinated people who have already gotten sick with one flu virus can still benefit from vaccination since the flu vaccine protects against three or four different flu viruses (depending on which flu vaccine is received) expected to circulate each season.
A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza disease. It’s especially important for pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, adults 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, or heart disease to get vaccinated each year because they are more at risk for developing flu-related complications.
Each year, the flu causes people to experience a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, chills, and miserable days spent in bed. While every flu season is different and unpredictable, the seasonal flu can be serious, even deadly for some people.
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work or school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. The vaccine is a safe way to protect yourself from the flu and potentially serious complications, like pneumonia.
The flu shot cannot give you the flu. The most common side effects from a flu shot are a sore arm and maybe a low fever or achiness. The soreness is often caused by a person’s immune system making protective antibodies to the killed viruses in the vaccine. These antibodies are what allow the body to fight against flu.
If you haven’t already been immunized for the flu, get your flu vaccination to protect you and your family now. Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, as well as by many employers and schools.
Find where to get the flu vaccine at a location near you at www.healthymadisoncounty.org.