Why You Should Get Your Flu Shot Now

Oct 4, 2019 8:24:26 AM / by Voyage Healthcare Team posted in Family Medicine, Health Tips

Wondering when you should get a flu shot? Experts recommend getting the seasonal flu vaccination as early as possible to provide the best protection. That’s because if you wait until mid-season to get your flu shot, you could be risking your health, the health of your loved ones, and your community.

Man blowing his nose in his living roomWhile every flu season varies and influenza infection can affect people differently, an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect against this illness. According to the CDC, millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized, and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.

Why Now is the Best Time to Get Vaccinated

Flu activity usually picks up in October and November, peaks around February, and can last well into the spring months. This is why early fall is an ideal time to receive the shot, as it can take about two weeks after receiving your vaccine for the full antibody effect to develop and provide flu protection. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

It's recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu, especially expectant mothers.

Benefits of the Flu Shot

  • Can prevent you from getting sick with flu
  • Helps prevent serious medical events associated with some chronic conditions (i.e heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease)
  • Helps protect women during and after pregnancy
  • Can be life-saving in children
  • Reduces severity of illness in people who get vaccinated, but still get sick
  • Helps protect the people around you

Get Your Flu Shot at Voyage Healthcare

Flu viruses are continuously changing, and this season's vaccines have been updated to protect against the viruses that will be most common this year. Additionally, your immune protection from a vaccine declines over time, so annual flu shots are needed for the best protection against the flu.

Request an appointment with Voyage Healthcare to receive your flu shot this fall!

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Voyage Healthcare Team

Written by Voyage Healthcare Team

Voyage Healthcare is an independently owned, multi-specialty healthcare clinic — guided by the doctors who care for families in the northwest metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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