Get Vaccinated for the Flu

If you’ve ever had influenza, or “the flu,” you know it is far worse than the common cold. Exhaustion, fever, sore throat, chills, body aches and terrible congestion that lasts for a week or so are just a few of the flu's common symptoms. But, there can be serious complications, too.
Each year, on average, 36,000 Americans die of complications from the flu, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized. So this year, we want you to take action and get vaccinated for the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and yes, even your co-workers and friends, from this serious disease. It can be particularly dangerous for certain people at high risk, including people 65 and older; people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart disease; and pregnant women and young children. An otherwise healthy person may be sick in bed for a week with the flu, but passing the flu on to someone in one of these groups could kill that person.

That is why CDC recommends that people in high risk groups get an annual influenza vaccine and that close contacts of people in high risk groups get vaccinated, too. Vaccinating all family members and caregivers is particularly important for infants younger than six months of age who are too young for vaccination. This provides a protective “cocoon” around the child. For the same reason, CDC recommends that health care workers and anyone living with or caring for people in a high risk group get vaccinated, too.

New this year is CDC’s recommendation that children ages 6 months through 18 years get vaccinated to avoid getting and spreading the flu and having potentially serious complications that could result in hospitalization or even death. In addition, CDC advises people age 50 or older, who often have chronic illnesses, to protect themselves and loved ones by getting vaccinated. People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs should avoid vaccination or talk with their doctor.

So, inFLUence someone in a positive way and protect them from the misery of influenza—get vaccinated today.