Have you had your flu shot?

With Holiday shopping in full swing, the first snowfall coming down and shorter days with giant to-do lists; gripe (influenza) season is back early and here to stay!  Although Abuelita’s famous flu tricks have worked in the past,  don’t let the flu slow you down. A flu vaccine is the best defense against all flu viruses.  Make sure you and your family get vaccinated this year to stay healthy and avoid getting or spreading the flu.

Who needs a flu shot?

Anyone over six months of age should receive a flu shot unless otherwise specified by their physician. The flu can make anyone sick, but some people have a higher risk of contracting the virus and are at a greater risk for complications like hospitalization to more serious conditions and even death. These groups include:

• Adults 50 years of age and older
• Children younger than five years of age, but especially younger than two
• People with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (types 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other chronic conditions
• Those who are morbidly obese (body-mass index of 40 or greater)
• Pregnant women and women within the first two weeks after delivery

Did you know?

• There is more than one type of Flu virus. The flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common this season. 
• You should get vaccinated every year. You need to get vaccinated with this season’s vaccine; last’s season’s flu shot will no longer protect you.
• Some flu seasons are worse than others. Between 1976 and 2006, yearly flu-related deaths in the United States ranged from 3,000 to 49,000 people.
• An estimated 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population is infected with the flu, and more than 200,000 people may be hospitalized during a flu season.

Where to get vaccinated

Many locations offer flu shots at a reasonable price, or even free. Visit your local physician, clinic, health department, pharmacy, college health center and workplace or school to get vaccinated.

Keep you and your family health and safe this flu season. Get your flu vaccination today.

This post was sponsored by the National Influenza Vaccination Disparities Partnership.