Get Your Flu Shot: Protect Yourself and Your Community This Season
As flu season approaches, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect yourself and those around you from the influenza virus. Every year, the flu shot plays a critical role in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death associated with the flu. With the ongoing presence of COVID-19, many people are wondering how to manage their vaccinations effectively.
Why the Flu Shot is Crucial
The influenza virus can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe respiratory illness. Each year, the flu causes significant health issues, including hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths in the United States. The flu vaccine is specifically designed to protect against the most prevalent strains of the virus each year, making it a critical tool in preventing illness.
Getting the flu shot not only protects you but also helps safeguard the community by reducing the spread of the virus. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.
Timing Your Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster
With COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters still part of our lives, you might be wondering how these interact with the flu shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is safe to receive your flu shot either before or after your COVID-19 booster.
Both vaccines are vital for protecting your health, especially during the fall and winter months when respiratory illnesses are more common. By getting vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19, you’re taking comprehensive steps to protect yourself from serious illness.
Different Flu Shots for Different Ages
The flu shot isn’t one-size-fits-all; the type of vaccine you receive may depend on your age. For young children, the flu vaccine is tailored to their developing immune systems. The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. For children under eight years old who are getting vaccinated for the first time, a second dose is typically required to ensure full protection.
For adults aged 65 and older, a high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine is recommended. These vaccines are specifically formulated to provide a stronger immune response, which is crucial for older adults who are at higher risk of severe complications from the flu.
When to Get Your Flu Shot
Timing is an important factor in flu vaccination. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October. This timing is ideal because it allows your body time to build up immunity before the flu season peaks, typically between December and February. However, getting vaccinated earlier in the season—such as in September or October—is also beneficial, as it ensures you are protected as soon as the flu begins to circulate in your community.
Shore Physicians Group Flu Shot Clinics
To help you stay protected this flu season, Shore Physicians Group is hosting two flu shot clinics at its Surgical Division, located at 649 Shore Road in Somers Point. The first will be on Saturday, September 14 from 8am-Noon, and the second will be on Saturday, October 12, from 8am-Noon. These clinics, open to individuals aged 18 and older, offer a convenient and safe way to get vaccinated.
Appointments are available by calling 609-365-6200. Walk ins will also be available. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these clinics to get your flu shot early in the season. Remember, getting vaccinated not only protects you but also helps prevent the spread of the flu virus within the community.
The contents of this article have been reviewed by Scott Warren, PharmD with Shore Physicians Group. Scott is Shore Physicians Group’s Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, and he treats patients at Shore Physicians Group’s offices in Northfield and Somers Point. To schedule an appointment with Scott Warren, call 609-365-6200 or 609-365-5300.
