Everyone seems to know when the flu season arrives, but does everyone realize how important flus shots are for the elders in our community? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established NIVW in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. This is because, traditionally, influenza vaccination activity drops after the end of November.
In reality, it is never too late to get your flu vaccine. As long as there are flu viruses spreading and causing illness, you need to get vaccinated. If you have already gotten the flu, you should still get vaccinated. You have contacted one of the flu viruses, but the flu vaccine protects you against three or four different flu viruses. It is possible to have the flue three or four times in a season if you have not been vaccinated.
The CDC has classified people over the age of 65 and people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities as being in the high risk group for getting the flu, and then developing flu-related complications. These complications could lead to pneumonia, hospitalization or death.
The flu vaccine is the best tool for protecting against this potentially serious disease. You need the 2015-2016 flu vaccine for optimal protection this season. The sooner you get the vaccine, the better – it takes about two weeks for the immune system to build the necessary antibodies your body needs for protection.
The flu activity in the US is highest in the months from December to February, but the season can last well into May. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
The vaccines available for this season are those that are called “trivalent” and are made to protect against three different flu viruses. Also available this season is the vaccine called “quadrivalent.” It protects against four different flu viruses.
There are several locations you can go to for a flu shot. They include doctors’ offices, clinics, retail stores, pharmacies and health centers. Call us at Kabb Law if you are having trouble locating a place that’s convenient for you. We would like to help in making sure that you are vaccinated against the flu this year.216-991-KABB (5222)
