Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from the flu. Every flu season is different and we never know how bad a flu season is going to be or how long it’s going to last which is why it is so important to get the flu vaccine every year.
Some things to know about the flu vaccine:
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the immune system to fully respond to the vaccine and provide the body protection.
Children 6 months through 8 years old who getting vaccinated for the first time will need two doses of the vaccine.
The flu vaccine might cause some mild side effects such as low grade fever, aches, or redness/swelling where the shot was given but it cannot cause the flu.
Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe illness and complications from influenza, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, and people 65 years of age and older.
Flu viruses generally circulate from late fall to early spring, but can last into late spring. September and October are good times to get vaccinated, but you can get vaccinated anytime during flu season.
COVID vaccines and the flu vaccine can be given at the same time.
Everyday Actions to Prevent Flu While getting the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, there are other things we can all do every day to prevent getting or spreading the flu viruses and other viruses.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Try to cough or sneeze into the corner of your elbow and not your hand or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
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