Why You Should Get Yourself A Flu Shot

Influenza can be fatal if not treated on time. The best way to keep yourself protected from contracting the flu is to get yourself vaccinated every year.

Every flu season is different from the previous, and influenza can affect individuals differently. An annual flu shot reduces your risk of the disease, hospitalization, or subsequent death from the illness.

When you have a flu vaccine administered, you also lower your chances of suffering from related chronic conditions. If you have a chronic lung disease or diabetes, a flu shot could keep you from getting hospitalized.

Additionally, if you happen to be pregnant, getting yourself a flu shot protects you from flu-related respiratory diseases. Not just this, but it also safeguards your child from flu for the next several months.

When you are more vulnerable to the flu

If you are old and ailing or have a weakened immune system due to a chronic health complaint, you must vaccinate yourself against the flu every year.

That apart, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States advises anybody upward of 6months of age to receive yearly flu shots.

When should you get your flu shot?

Flu season begins by the end of October, so it is a good idea to get your annual flu vaccine well in advance. It takes about two weeks for the vaccines to start developing antibodies inside your body. However, if you are unable to take your flu vaccines around this time of the year, it is still helpful to take them at any point during the season.

If you are planning to vaccinate your child, however, remember that he/she will need two shots. These two doses should be given four weeks apart, so try to get their first shot in the early days of Fall. This is essential since children are more vulnerable to diseases than adults.

Can a flu vaccine help if I am already sick with the flu?

Yes, a flu vaccine can help you even when you are already down with the flu. Research has shown that flu shots reduce the severity of illness in a patient who already underwent hospitalization for the flu.

Where can you get a flu shot?

Most workplaces and college health centers provide vaccinations against the flu. However, if you do not have access to these, you can always consult your doctor or ask for a flu shot at your local pharmacy.

Phoenix Family Medical Centre also administers flu shots. They offer all kinds of vaccinations against flu and can detect the right vaccine type for the current strain of the virus prevailing.

If you are in the locality, you can walk in and receive your flu shots on the spot. Otherwise, you can call/email them for any queries that you might have and to set up an appointment.

Don’t let the flu season keep you holed up in your house. Get your annual flu shot and enjoy the seasonal bounties of Fall/Wintertime. They only come once a year too!

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