Influenza
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 110,000-230,000 flu hospitalizations in 2023. The flu shot can protect you, your family, neighbors, and community, and decrease severity of symptoms and lower hospitalization risk.
The symptoms of flu include:
- Fever
- Cough/Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Getting the flu can leave you more vulnerable to other respiratory diseases and those who are already at risk could face more severe cases.
How does the flu shot work?
The flu vaccine introduces an inactivated or weak version of the virus to your body, which causes your immune system to produce protection against it. You may sometimes have mild symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine; this is your body developing its response to the inactivated or weakened virus. When you are actually exposed to the virus, your body can fight it off or reduce its impact so you only experience mild symptoms. Everyone over six months old should get the flu shot annually.
When should you get the flu shot?
Most drugstores in the U.S. now have the flu vaccine in stock. However, experts suggest waiting until September or October so the vaccine protection lasts the whole flu season. This is especially important for adults over 65 and those with compromised immune systems. There is a special flu vaccine for adults 65 years and older with a higher dosage that protects against four strains of the flu.