Why and How Often Do You Need Flu Shots

Influenza (flu) can be a life-threatening virus leading to hospitalization and even death. Every year millions of people die of flu. It affects every person differently. Some only miss a day or two of work or school, while others need prolonged bed rest. With the ever-changing viral strains, it’s impossible to know how the virus will affect you every time. Hence, getting immunized with a vaccine is your best bet against the multiple strains of the potentially damaging flu virus.

Symptoms:

Flu symptoms can range from common cold symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headache, and body ache. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, sinus infection, chronic illness, and ear infection.

Flu shots, the why and how:

Yearly flu shots can help prevent the severity of flu illness. Vaccination is the best mode to prevent life-threatening diseases. Flu vaccines build up antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. Therefore, it is important to get boosted at least two weeks before it starts spreading in your community.

There are a number of flu shots available: Standard-dose flu shots, cell-based flu shot, recombinant flu shot, high-dose flu shot, and adjuvanted flu shot. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone who is 6 months and older should get a flu shot every season.

It’s extremely important for those groups who are at risk of developing serious complications. However, there are rare exceptions based on health history, age, and any allergies to the vaccine.

The major reasons for getting flu shots are that every year a person’s immunity declines, so a yearly flu shot is necessary for the best possible protection. Secondly, the extremely versatile viral strains can pose a threat and therefore, the vaccines are updated to provide the needed safety.

When and where to get them?

September and October which are the colder months are ideal seasons to get vaccinated. It is offered across all health care centres, hospitals, clinics, and primary care centres.

In conclusion, all healthy people need a flu shot every year. It can affect anyone, more so people who are at risk. It helps prevent serious illness from occurring and aids your body in fighting off the infection. The greater the number of people who get it, the lesser the risk of people dying from flu infection.