The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) tells us 20% of Americans get the “flu” (influenza) every year.

Over 200,000 people are hospitalized every year from the flu.

Anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths each year are flu related.

Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step to protect you from the flu.

Your protection begins within two weeks of getting the flu shot.

Getting the flu shot does not cause the flu!

Who should get a flu shot?

  • Everyone 6 months or older.
  • Those at high risk to develop serious complications from the flu, young children less then 5 years and especially less than 2 years, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
  • Health care workers and people who care for high risk people.
  • People who care for children less than 6 months of age.

What are the types of vaccines?

  • Traditional flu vaccine made up of flu virus particles of two types of A and one type of B flu.
  • High dose flu vaccine, same particles but in higher dose for people 65 and older.
  • Intradermal flu vaccine, same particles but different delivery method just under the skin for people 18 to 64 years old.
  • Nasal spray flu vaccine with a “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine” (LAIV) for people 2 to 49 years old.

So get your flu shot today to protect you from the flu this season which lasts usually from October until May.

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