An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses and hospitalizations.
1. A flu shot can save your life:
The flu can cause some serious complications that sometimes require hospitalization, such as dehydration, worsening of chronic illnesses, bacterial pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections.
2. Shot helps with herd immunity:
If we all get immunizations, of course we can’t spread the virus elsewhere, so we’re all protected from it.
3. Most people are eligible to get the flu shot:
Everyone should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season, especially after the age of 55.
4. The flu shot changes each year:
Before each flu season, the CDC determines which strains of influenza appear to most likely to occur that year. The vaccine will still reduce your chances of contracting certain strains of the virus and if you do get sick, having the vaccine can significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms.
5. You won’t get the flu from the flu shot:
A common misconception is that you can contract the flu from a flu vaccine, but that is not possible because the shot uses a deadened form of the virus.