Do I REALLY need to get the flu shot?
Influenza, better known as the flu, is a virus that causes fever/chills, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, and sometimes nausea. The flu virus mutates yearly, so you can have the flu multiple times throughout your life and even multiple times in the same year.
But the problem isn’t just the flu virus; it’s the complications that can arise from the flu that are also dangerous. These complications include bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, and even a heart attack. Per the New England Journal of Medicine, you are six times more likely to have a heart attack when diagnosed with the flu.
The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even the risk of flu-related death in children. A total of 280 children died from the flu during the 2024 flu season. Approximately 89% of the deaths were in children who had not received the flu vaccine.
The importance of the flu shot
Getting the flu vaccine can save your life, especially if you’re older than the age of 65, have chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, or COPD, or if you’re a smoker. Having any of the above chronic diseases places you at a higher risk of developing dangerous complications from the flu, leading to hospitalization or even death.
Not only can you protect yourself from the flu by receiving the flu vaccine, but you can also protect your family and friends from getting the flu. How does this work? Well, there is something called community immunity. Community immunity means most of a population is vaccinated against a particular virus, such as the flu, thus reducing the entire community’s risk. This is especially important for babies who are younger than 6 months, as they can’t be vaccinated. Thus, parents and other family members can protect babies and other vulnerable people, including immunocompromised or people with chronic diseases when getting the flu vaccine.
Please talk with your primary care provider about any questions you may have about the flu vaccine. It can save your or your loved one’s life.
FAQ
Can you get the flu from the flu vaccine?
You can't get the flu from the flu vaccine, as the virus in the vaccine is inactive.
Who shouldn’t get the flu vaccine?
Anyone under the age of 6 months and anyone who is allergic to eggs. Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should talk with their primary care provider. If you have any concerns about receiving the flu vaccine, you should always talk with your primary care provider.
How effective is the flu vaccine?
Recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60% in most years.
What flu viruses are circulating during the current flu season?
The flu viruses that are circulating during the current flu season can vary from year to year, but the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the most common strains.
