We are past the mid-point of September, National Immunization Month, which means it is time to encourage everyone to get their flu and COVID booster shots, the latter of which has just been updated to protect against the latest variants.
While seasonal influenza viruses are detected year-round, they are most common in the fall and winter. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone older than six months should get a flu vaccine every “flu season” to help prevent the contraction and spread of the virus.
Influenza can be a very serious disease that may lead to hospitalization or even death. According to the CDC, each flu season is unique and every infection affects people differently. Millions of people get the flu each year, leading to hundreds of thousands of hospital visits and tens of thousands of deaths from flu-related causes.
The flu vaccine, a simple shot, is the best way to protect against the disease. The vaccine causes antibodies to develop that provide protection against flu infection. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop in the body, so the sooner you can get vaccinated, the better. It is also important to get the vaccine early in the season; September and October are the best months to get the vaccination, according to the CDC.
While the vaccine does not protect against every strain of the flu, it has been said to lessen the severity for those who contract it. The vaccination is particularly important for those at high risk for complications from influenza, including senior citizens, young children, pregnant women, and people suffering from medical conditions It is also important to remember that COVID and flu vaccinations are not just for your benefit; they are also for everyone around you. We do not want any residents getting sick, and we certainly do not want them passing on these viruses to us!
So please, get your shots; you may even choose to get them concurrently. They will only take a few minutes of your time and most, if not all, of the cost should be covered by most insurance providers; a small price to pay for the peace of mind it will provide.
