Why You Should Get the Flu Vaccine

Did you know that during last year’s flu season, at least 34 million people got the flu, and of that, an estimated 15 million people were hospitalized?¹ Because of the flu’s high prevalence and its potential serious risk to your health, it is important to get your flu vaccine.

Here are some facts about the flu shot you should know!

Flu Shot Facts

Why? It is important to get this year’s flu vaccine because the vaccine changes yearly to fight off the specific strains of flu, and may not protect you from last year’s flu strains.²

Who? Everyone who is 6 months or older should get the flu vaccine. This includes pregnant people, seniors, babies and toddlers, and those with chronic health illnesses.³ Before you get your flu vaccine, consult with your doctor or healthcare professional.

When? It is recommended to get your flu shot before Halloween, which is right before the flu season begins. This is because it takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to take full effect. If you are not able to get the flu vaccine before Halloween, it is it is recommended to get the flu vaccine as soon as you can.⁴

Alternative. If you are hesitant about getting the flu shot because you are afraid of needles, you can get the nasal spray. Like the flu shot, the nasal spray is effective in preventing the flu. However, those who are ages 2 to 49 are the only individuals eligible for the flu nasal spray.⁵

Will the Vaccine Give Me the Flu? Whether you get the flu shot or the nasal spray, the flu vaccine will not give you the flu. Both versions of the flu vaccine strengthen your immunity against the flu.⁶

Flu Vaccine Benefits

The flu vaccine has many health benefits that you can take advantage of. Here are some of the most important benefits of the flu vaccine.

Reduce the Chance of Getting Flu. One major benefit of the flu vaccine is that there is a much lower risk of you getting the flu. For example, during the 2019 flu season, around 7 million flu cases were prevented because of the flu vaccine.⁷

Less Severe. According to University Hospitals in Cleveland, those who get the flu but received the flu vaccine, will have much milder symptoms than those who did not get the flu vaccine. This will also help with reduced doctor visits and hospitalization.⁸

Protect Others. The flu vaccine not only protects you from getting the flu, but it also helps prevent the flu from spreading to others. This is especially important for those who have chronic diseases, are infants, or seniors.⁹

Where to Get Flu Vaccines?

Now that you know more about the importance of the flu vaccine, you may be ready to receive the vaccine. Here are some examples of places to get the flu vaccine.

Doctor’s Office. You can make an appointment to receive your flu vaccine with your doctor’s office or nearest hospital
Pharmacy. The major pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, offers flu vaccines administered by pharmacists.
Your Job. Sometimes, places of employment will offer flu vaccines. This is especially common in the healthcare industry.

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Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

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