You may hear a lot of talk about flu vaccine from friends, family, and coworkers, but how do you know what to believe? Here are 5 facts about flu shots to help you understand more about flu vaccination.
Flu shots are safe
Flu shots don’t give you the flu, but some people may experience mild symptoms such as redness, soreness, tenderness,muscle aches, headaches, or low-grade fever.
Current flu vaccines are either made with inactivated flu viruses, or no flu viruses at all. This means that you cannot be infected with the flu from a flu vaccine.
Flu shots are effective
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu virus infections. The vaccine helps prevent the spread of influenza virus, and it also lessens the symptoms of the flu if you do get infected with influenza virus. The number of people who are killed or hospitalized by influenza has decreased significantly thanks to flu vaccinations.
Everyone needs a flu shot
Certain people are at a higher risk for flu-related complications, but almost everyone should get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine every year.
Talk to your doctor before getting a flu shot if you have a an egg allergy, any life-threatening allergies, if you’ve experienced an allergic reaction to flu vaccine before, if you’ve ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), or if you are currently sick.
You need a flu shot every season
It would be great if you could get a single flu shot that lasted your whole life. Unfortunately, the flu vaccine you got last fall won’t necessarily protect you from the flu this winter. The influenza viruses that you’re most likely to encounter change each flu season. The CDC recommends a flu shot every year, even if the vaccine protects against the same viruses as the previous season.
Get your flu shot at a MANA clinic today
Looking for a place to get a flu shot in Northwest Arkansas? MANA clinics offer flu vaccinations for children, adolescents, and adults at several locations in Northwest Arkansas.