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5 Important Benefits of the Seasonal Flu Shot
As summer draws to a close, it’s time to look ahead to another fall season. Unfortunately, that also means bracing yourself and your family for another flu season. The good news is that there’s a simple way to protect you and your loved ones from this potentially serious illness: the seasonal flu shot.
Our team at Prime Choice Family Clinic & Urgent Care in Frisco, Texas, are happy to provide the flu shot every year. Here, we take a closer look at some of the ways you can benefit from this simple healthy choice.
1. The flu shot promotes community health
You may have heard of the term “herd immunity” lately, but what does it mean? Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of the population becomes immune to a disease. And it’s what can happen when the majority of people get vaccinated.
When you get the flu shot, you join the fight to stop the spread of the virus and help keep your friends, family, and community members safe.
2. The flu shot could be life-saving
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting the seasonal flu shot is the best way to avoid getting sick with the flu. Though getting a few body aches and sore throat might not sound like a big deal, you should know that the flu claims around 20,000 lives every year.
If you invest in the flu shot, you can reduce your risk of developing a serious infection, which could end up saving your life.
3. The flu shot is updated every year
As each new flu season rolls around, the CDC determines which strains of the flu are most likely to appear. They let that data and research drive the development of that year’s vaccine. You can be sure that you’re getting the most up-to-date protection when you come in for your annual flu shot.
4. The flu shot won’t give you the flu
Many people still believe that the flu shot gives you the flu, but that’s simply not the case. The vaccination contains a deadened form of the virus, so there’s no risk of getting the flu from the flu shot.
5. The flu shot can make your symptoms milder
Body aches, fever, and a cough are some of the tell-tale signs of the flu, but that’s not all the virus can do. The flu can cause a wide range of other symptoms, including dehydration, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and a worsening of chronic illnesses. In fact, the flu winds up hospitalizing upwards of 300,000 people every year.
It’s not guaranteed that you won’t get the flu if you get vaccinated, but it can significantly reduce your risk of developing complications and needing to get hospitalized. This is especially true if you belong to a high-risk category, such as any of the following:
- An older adult
- Pregnant
- Living with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease
Are you ready to get in front of the flu this fall? Learn more about getting the flu vaccine by calling 214-550-0911 or booking an appointment online with Prime Choice Family Clinic & Urgent Care today.
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