Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal, especially in people who are older or have compromised immune systems. Symptoms of the flu include aches, pains, chills, fever, congestion, cough, sore throat, and headache – no one likes it. No one wants it. Considering that flu season in the US can last as long as October through May, some may ask, how can you keep yourself from getting the flu? By getting your annual flu vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that every person over the age of six months be vaccinated against influenza disease, more commonly known as "the flu."
Each year the CDC determines which strains of the flu are likely to be the most prevalent, and creates a flu vaccine to protect against those strains. The vaccine is made of inactive or weakened (attenuated) flu antigens. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, though some mild side effects are possible. The CDC assures us that the side effects are much less severe than the symptoms caused by the actual flu virus.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine every year, it is especially important for children under five years old (and especially under two,) pregnant women, people over 65 years old, people with certain medical conditions including diabetes, asthma, and chronic lung disease, and healthcare personnel or people who live with or take care of those in a high-risk group.
In addition to a greatly reduced chance of getting the flu yourself, there are other benefits to getting a flu vaccine every year:
Each year the CDC determines which strains of the flu are likely to be the most prevalent, and creates a flu vaccine to protect against those strains. The vaccine is made of inactive or weakened (attenuated) flu antigens. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, though some mild side effects are possible. The CDC assures us that the side effects are much less severe than the symptoms caused by the actual flu virus.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine every year, it is especially important for children under five years old (and especially under two,) pregnant women, people over 65 years old, people with certain medical conditions including diabetes, asthma, and chronic lung disease, and healthcare personnel or people who live with or take care of those in a high-risk group.
In addition to a greatly reduced chance of getting the flu yourself, there are other benefits to getting a flu vaccine every year:
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