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There have always been good reasons to get a flu shot for most people.

Vaccinations are important to protect ourselves, our families and vulnerable individuals.

Fall typically marks the start of cold and flu season in the United States. Research shows that getting the flu vaccine can reduce influenza illnesses by 40% to 60%, and if we get the vaccine sooner rather than later, we can avoid a strain on our healthcare system

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine. 

Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. Flu vaccination also is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions. For example, flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease. It’s difficult to predict what this year’s flu season will look like. We know that masking is an effective way to prevent transmission of respiratory infections like influenza and COVID-19. However, it is unlikely we will see widespread mask use in the community. This makes getting the flu shot an especially vital component of staying healthy this fall and winter. 

It’s important to get a flu vaccination to protect yourself as the flu season begins. Your body typically takes up to two weeks to develop an immune response from a vaccine, so getting vaccinated early is the safest way to prevent the flu.

Emergency physicians highly recommend that persons who are at high risk of having serious flu complications and people who live with or care for high flu-risk individuals (including home caregivers and health care workers) get vaccinated each year. Persons in high-risk groups include:

– Children six months old through age five.

– Pregnant women.

– Persons age 50 and older.

– Persons with chronic medical conditions.

– Persons in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Getting a flu shot can reduce most people’s chances of catching the flu by up to 80 percent during flu season. It isn’t a guarantee against getting sick, though – mainly because there are many viruses that can cause the flu, and the vaccine only protects against a handful of them. However, among those persons who do get the flu after receiving the flu shot, symptoms usually will be milder. It’s a good idea to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu to protect yourself and prevent our health care system from becoming overstressed during the pandemic.

The flu vaccine has important health benefits. The CDC reports:

– It prevents 5,700 deaths.

– It prevents or reduces 6 million cases of the flu.

– It prevents 3 million medical visits.

– It prevents 91,000 hospitalizations.

– It prevents 74 percent of admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit and 82 percent of admissions to the adult intensive care unit.

Most pharmacies in town are offering the flu shot as is the Carter County Health Department. You may also check with your physician about the availability of the vaccine.

And, with the widespread flooding over the weekend, it is more important than ever to get the flu shot as the flood waters have no doubt spread contaminants throughout the area.