It may seem a bit early to be talking about the flu shot, but since it is National Immunization Month, there isn’t a better time to look at why it is important for you to get your annual shot.
What is the flu shot? The flu shot is a vaccine developed using different strains of the flu expected to strike each year. This year the shot contains protection against the H1N1 strain of flu, as it is expected to be a threat again this year. The shot changes on an annual basis and offers protection of approximately 80% of flu cases.
The advantages of the flu shot are numerous. You can save your sick days and not have to stay home nursing a fever and cold. You can protect the elderly and young, by not helping to spread the flu, and you can help boost your immune system.
There are two ways to deliver a flu vaccine, the old fashioned flu shot, which is approved for use in a large section of the population, and a nasal spray flu vaccine, which is live, and recommended for use only for the younger segment of the population and not for pregnant people.
The Center for Disease Control recommends flu shots for everyone from the age of 6 months, with especially strong recommendations for those over 65, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions.
There is a small segment of the population who is not recommended by the CDC to get the vaccine, including people allergic to eggs, an ingredient in the vaccine, people who have had reactions to the vaccine, people who are currently suffering from a fever and people with a history of Guillain Barre Syndrome.
It is a good idea to get the flu vaccine early, as it can take up to two weeks before you become protected by the vaccine. The flu vaccine should become available at the end of August or early September.
You can get your flu shot at your local doctor’s office, your local pharmacy, or a clinic.
Combining a flu vaccine with a regular hand washing and sterilizing routine can increase your chances to keep flu the flu away. Soap and water should be adequate to keep the flu away, but keeping a bottle of hand disinfectant for when you do not have access to soap and water can also be useful.
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