3 Reasons Why You Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza

Each year, we all hear people say, “I don’t need to get a flu shot. I never get sick.” But the facts say something different.

Many people mistakenly think that they’re immune to influenza—either because they’ve never gotten it before or because they had it last year and believe they can’t get it again. But it’s important to realize that influenza viruses change from year to year.

Following are 3 reasons why all of us—including those who don’t think they need it—should be vaccinated:

1. Influenza is a serious viral disease that can lead to complications such as pneumonia and the worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. In fact, each year in the United States, influenza and its complications affect up to 20% of the population and result in an average of:
     • more than 200,000 hospitalizations
     • 36,000 deaths

2. Getting vaccinated not only helps protect you, it also helps protect those around you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend annual influenza vaccination for anyone at risk for complications—for example, all children 6–59 months of age* and adults aged 50 and older—and for anyone who can transmit influenza to them, such as close contacts.

3. Getting vaccinated is the single best way to help prevent influenza. When there’s a close match between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation, influenza vaccination can prevent infection in about 70% to 90% of healthy persons younger than 65 years.

*Influenza vaccines are not currently approved for children under 6 months of age.

Even if you were immune to influenza strains circulating in the past, you may not be protected from the new strains that could emerge this season. And, of course, you can become infected with influenza more than once; the immunity you build up after having a case of influenza caused by one virus may not protect you from the new strains that might circulate this year. Click here to read more about the flu symptoms.

The bottom line is that getting vaccinated each influenza season is the single best way to help protect yourself against new influenza strains.

Here’s your opportunity to help protect yourself, as well as the many lives you touch. Call Passport Health in Miami for your appointment.

Note: Influenza vaccination may not prevent the disease in 100% of individuals. Persons should consult their healthcare provider to determine if they have a condition that precludes them from receiving the vaccine. All vaccines have side effects. The most common side effects of influenza vaccines include local reactions and mild general symptoms.

References:
1. Key Facts about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed May 2007.
2. Prevention and Control of Influenza. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Available at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr55e628a1.htm. Accessed May 2007.
3. Questions & Answers: Flu Shot. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm. Accessed May 2007.
4. Questions & Answers: Flu Vaccine. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm. Accessed May 2007.

 

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Flu Symptoms

 

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