Flu shot near me

The flu shot, also known as the influenza virus vaccine, can reduce your risk of getting sick from the flu. Knowing more about the benefits of a flu shot and how it works can help inform you to make the best health decisions for yourself and your family.

Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza

The CDC describes the flu as a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. It adds that millions of people in the United States get the flu every year and that up to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Complications associated with the flu include ear infections, bacterial pneumonia, and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart failure.

The flu vaccine could be your best bet for avoiding influenza, as it is shown to reduce the risk of illness from the flu, along with hospitalizations and flu-related deaths in children, says the CDC. It may even reduce the severity of illness in those who experience breakthrough infections even after getting vaccinated, adds the CDC.

When is the flu vaccine available?

The CDC recommends getting the seasonal flu vaccine in September or October before the flu starts spreading in communities. However, if you do not receive the flu vaccine before the end of October, the CDC suggests getting one anyway, given how the spread of the flu usually peaks in February and continues well into May.

The seasonal flu vaccine usually becomes available in July or August, which is when children should receive the flu vaccine, reports the CDC. Adults are advised not to get vaccinated this early because protection against the flu can decrease over time.

Why do I need to get vaccinated every year?

The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older be vaccinated for the flu every year. Flu viruses are constantly changing, which means the flu vaccine must be updated every year to protect against the newest strain. Additionally, the immunity you receive from the flu vaccine gradually decreases over time, which means a yearly shot can provide you with optimal protection, says the CDC.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

The CDC recommends that everyone at least six months of age and older get the flu vaccine every season. However, it adds that some groups of people may need different vaccines than others. For instance, pregnant women should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine due to an increased risk of potential complications, according to CDC recommendations.

What are my flu vaccine delivery options?

The flu vaccine can be given as an injection or nasal spray. According to the CDC, most flu shots are given in the arm muscle with a needle, though a jet injector may be used in people between the ages of 18 and 64. The nasal spray vaccine is approved only for people between the ages of two and 49, with the exception of pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, adds the CDC.

Can the vaccine give me the flu or other respiratory diseases?

The CDC states that the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu virus. However, it adds that it may cause many side effects and symptoms that are synonymous with the flu and other respiratory diseases, including fever, cough, headaches, muscle aches, and runny nose.

What kind of protection does the flu vaccine offer?

The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting the flu by between 40% and 60%, reports the CDC. It adds that two major factors play a role in determining the likelihood that the flu vaccine will protect you from flu illness. These factors include the characteristics of the person being vaccinated, such as age and health, and how well the current season’s vaccines “match” the flu viruses that are spreading in the community.

Can I lower my risk of the flu without getting a flu shot?

There are many effective ways to reduce your risk for the flu without getting a flu shot, reports the CDC. Exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, getting plenty of quality sleep, and managing stress are some of the most effective ways to maintain a strong immune system and avoid the flu. Other steps you can take, according to the CDC, include washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoiding close contact with others who are sick.