Flu Prevention New York Health Works

Seasonal Influenza Prevention

Most doctors offices, many pharmacies, and even grocery stores now have the influenza vaccination available. Here are a few key reasons why you should consider getting your flu shot as soon as possible!

Flu affects thousands of New Yorkers every year. According to the New York State Department of Health, 5% to 20% of all Americans get the flu. 200,000 are hospitalized, and deaths do occur, especially amongst men and women above the age of 65 years. Interested in learning more about flu cases in NYS? You can find weekly flu monitoring reports here.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. There are a variety of types of vaccines and delivery methods available, and some are more suited for seniors than others. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the vaccine that’s right for you.

Flu vaccines help you to protect the larger community. By being vaccinated against the flu, you can help increase the immunity of your community against dangerous viruses. This can help protect members of your community that are most at-risk, such as the very young, the very old, and those with chronic health problems. If you intend to hold a baby during the flu season, you’ll want to make sure you’re vaccinated.

Flu vaccines take about two weeks to begin to work. That’s why you want to get vaccinated as soon as possible, before the worst of flu season hits in January and February.

Getting vaccinated can help you lessen the spread of the flu, even if you never feel sick. You might think you’re completely healthy, because you haven’t experienced any symptoms! Unfortunately, many young people help to spread the influenza virus to coworkers and friends because they don’t realize they are carrying it. By getting vaccinated, you can ensure you’re not helping to spread viruses further around your community.

These vaccines can protect both pregnant women and their babies. These vaccinations can safely take place during pregnancy, and antibodies developed by the mother will be passed on to her child, protecting the child after birth.

Though vaccine effectiveness varies, there are still benefits for patients who become diagnosed with the flu. The viruses within the flu vaccines must closely match to the viruses circulating in your community. Vaccines are redeveloped every year so that they may provide the most protection, based on the virus strains most likely to spread. However, some people who get vaccinated will still get the flu. In these cases, the vaccination can help to lessen the severity of the flu and its symptoms.

These are just some of the many reasons you’ll want to consider getting your flu shot. Stop into your local pharmacy today to ask more questions and get your vaccination! You just might dodge the flu – and the people around you will feel better, too.