We hope you’re mindful about getting your flu shot each and every year — it’s a critical part of staying well during flu season and helps protect your community too.
Influenza is nothing to minimize or take too lightly. Each year, as many as 20% of people will become ill with this highly contagious viral infection that spreads through inhaling droplets from coughs and sneezes of those already infected.
But you might wonder when exactly you should pencil in that time to get your shot on your calendar. You may also worry about whether getting your flu shot too early or too late will impact its effectiveness in protecting you.
Fortunately, at Primary Care Walk-In Clinic, we make getting your flu shot easy and quick and can answer any questions you might have about how the vaccines are developed each year (vaccine developers must try to match the vaccine to the particular flu strain each year), their safety, and how to handle any mild side effects. Dr. Pankaj Chopra, Dr. Neha Maheshwari, and the caring team are focused on one thing: keeping you healthy!
Making sure to get your flu shot each year should be at the top of your health to-do list. This is because the flu shot can help protect you from getting sick, and though it’s not 100% guaranteed that you won’t get the flu even if you’re vaccinated if you do get sick, the shot ensures that your symptoms are less severe.
Two widespread myths about the flu are that it’s not that serious an illness and that the flu shot actually gives you the flu.
Let’s tackle the first one. During the deadly influenza pandemic of 1918, a staggering 50 million people died worldwide. To put it in sharper perspective, that’s more than the number of deaths in World War I!
The flu can still be deadly. There have been 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths from the flu thus far this year. Sadly, 216 of those deaths have been pediatric. It’s particularly alarming that this is the highest number of child deaths since the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
Next, it isn’t possible for the flu vaccine to give you the flu, although there’s a brief window right before you get your shot, and for about two weeks after, when you could still become ill and catch the flu. Additionally, you can suffer symptoms if the vaccine developed in a particular year isn’t well-matched to the flu virus that’s making the rounds — the good news is that you’ll still be somewhat protected.
Remember that it’s normal after you receive your flu shot to experience some reactions, like fever and muscle aches, in the couple of days following your immunization.
Many people wonder when the ideal time is to get their flu shot so they have the best protection possible.
The optimal time to receive your flu vaccine is in the fall, typically between September and October, as flu vaccines usually become available to providers’ offices in September. Getting your vaccine in that early part of fall is best since flu season lasts from about October through May.
Don’t forget about that two-week window after you get your shot, though, when you’re building immunity. Shooting for the early part of fall to get immunized — before flu numbers rise — means you can be better protected for longer.
However, with how busy we all get, it might be that you find yourself in January without a flu shot. Don’t assume you’re a lost cause! Even if you get your vaccine later than what is ideally recommended, you’ll still benefit.
If you contract the flu and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, weakness, and other unpleasant symptoms, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We can recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, as well as prescription antiviral drugs that can offer relief. Prescription medications can also shorten the amount of time you suffer with your symptoms.
Partner with us and be ready for this year’s flu season — schedule your shot for early fall, and you’ll be ahead of the game!
Contact the Primary Care Walk-In Clinic office that’s nearest you to schedule your flu vaccine appointment, or reach out to us through our website.
