Why should I get the flu vaccination?

• Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
• For the upcoming flu season, flu vaccination will be very important to reduce flu because it can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the population and thus lessen the resulting burden on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When to get the flu vaccination?

• Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
• Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.
• Getting vaccinated early (for example, in July or August) is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults.
• Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

Flu Prevention Tips

How can I receive a flu vaccination?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Below are links to more information about the different type of flu vaccines available.

• An influenza shot is a vaccine given with a needle, usually in the arm.
• Nasal spray influenza vaccines are another flu immunization option.
• The High-Dose flu vaccine contains 4 times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot and is licensed specifically for people 65 years and older.

Click here to learn about more options.

Can a flu vaccination protect me from COVID-19?

• Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.

Flu Prevention for Seniors

Flu Prevention for Pregnant Women

Flu Prevention for Children

Be Healthy and Safe!

So, you also may be thinking: “But I hate shots!” We promise, it’s just a quick pinch and not too scary! Check out our team’s flu shot game faces back in 2019!