To Enrich Lives

From the CDC:

Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. So, go ahead and take your best shot in the fight against flu! Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu shots!

Shorter days and cooler evenings are here, a sign that influenza (flu) season will be upon us soon. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. People often confuse the common cold for flu because the symptoms are similar. But, colds are usually milder than flu. Flu can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Pneumonia and bronchitis are examples of serious flu-related complications. Flu also can cause certain health conditions, like diabetes, asthma, and heart and lung disease, to become worse. Healthy people also can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who bounces back quickly from a flu illness, people around you might not be so lucky. You may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know you are sick or while you are sick with the flu.

Millions of people make a point of getting a flu vaccine in the fall. Many are following the advice of their doctor or other trusted health professional by getting vaccinated. Along with CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases and many other professional medical groups recommend an annual influenza vaccine. But there are many people who skip getting a flu vaccine, thinking that they don’t work, or aren’t worth the trouble. But it turns out that a lot of research has been done that shows how important getting a flu vaccine can be.

Some children 6 months through 8 years of age will require two doses of flu vaccine for adequate protection from flu.

Reasons for Getting a Flu Vaccine Read more