If you could do one quick thing to preserve your own health, keep your family, neighbors and co-workers from contracting a dangerous illness, and it cost you little or nothing, would you do it?
Of course you would.
So get a flu shot.
During last year’s record flu season, an estimated 80,000 people died and 900,000 were hospitalized, according to CDC statistics. Not counted are the potentially millions more who also suffered needlessly because an unvaccinated person passed on the virus to them.
“But,” you’re saying, “I have a good reason not to get a flu shot.”
“Flu vaccines can give you the flu.” Not possible — the vaccine is made of inactive virus or no virus at all.
In addition, many illnesses that people categorize as the flu may actually be a different type of virus, a bacterial infection or food poisoning.
People at risk of serious flu complications include:
- Children younger than 5
- Adults older than 65
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions like heart disease, lung disease or diabetes
While some people should not get a flu vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend it for nearly everyone 6 months and older.
If your employer doesn’t offer onsite flu vaccines, finding a place to get one is simple with the CDC HealthMap Vaccine Finder.
CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine by the end of October to maximize your protection for this year. But if you are unable to get your vaccine then, it’s still worthwhile to get it through January or even later.
Don’t wait. Get your flu vaccination early and save yourself and your loved ones from contracting this dangerous and potentially fatal virus.