Furthermore, the flu shot can save the lives of children by reducing the risk of flu-related death by more than half. The flu vaccine is especially important as a tool to help mitigate infection in people with certain chronic conditions, elderly patients, and pregnant women who are at higher risk of experiencing serious illness. The CDC regularly conducts studies to test the effectiveness of each season’s flu vaccine to protect the population from influenza illness. Last winter alone, scientists estimated that flu vaccines prevented 7.5 million people from getting sick, 3.7 million doctor’s visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 flu-associated deaths. Whether you go to your primary care provider or another health facility, make sure to cover all your bases this winter season!įlu shots are extremely effective, especially when the vaccine matches the circulating strain, which can reduce the likelihood of needing medical treatment by a whopping 40 percent to 60 percent. If you are eligible, it is completely safe to get a flu vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine or booster vaccine. These individuals should talk to their doctor about their options. The rare cases in which the vaccine is not indicated is if someone has a severe, life-threatening allergy to one of the vaccine ingredients (like gelatin and antibiotics) or experiences an allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine dose. The CDC recommends anyone six months and older get an age-appropriate flu vaccine. Some loved ones may suffer from an autoimmune disorder or a condition that already taxes their immune system like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychological stress - flu and COVID-19 vaccines are necessary to keep these individuals safe. If you plan on gathering in big groups or with older family members this holiday season, get vaccinated ahead of time to prevent their exposure to the flu or COVID-19.Īdditionally, if you have loved ones that are immunocompromised, they may be taking medications that impede their immune response. But even if you are young and healthy, the benefit of a flu vaccine is the protection it extends to all the people you come in contact with. The flu, like SARS-CoV-2, can result in severe respiratory complications and death - in fact, as many as 69,000 Americans die from the seasonal flu each year.Īs your immune system weakens over time, age and poor health are compelling factors for getting a flu shot. Compounded by the ongoing threat of COVID-19, hospitals remain consistently overwhelmed, and the ability to deliver care is often strained.
If you need only one incentive to get a flu shot this year, do it to avoid serious illness and potential hospitalization.
This means longer periods of time spent in the “breathing zone.” Therefore, dry cold winter conditions are ripe for the easy transmission of germs. And if you are still waiting to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, you can get them at the same time.Įvery winter season sees an uptick in community spread illnesses - for one, viruses can live longer in colder temperatures, and people spend more time in enclosed spaces. Getting this year’s flu vaccine is an excellent way to show your family and friends how much you care. This year, December 6-12, marks the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week. However, safety remains an outsized concern this year, and your best shot at protecting yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated against the flu. However, it is also the time of year seasonal influenza rears its ugly head.įollowing a 2020 holiday season that kept many families apart, people are looking forward to enjoying a traditional holiday season. At the end of each year, we look forward to gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holidays.
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