Flu Shots: Now’s the Time
As the weather cools down and the holiday season approaches, it's important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Learn about the importance of getting vaccinated with Dr. Cynthia Snider, Infection Prevention Medical Director, Cone Health, in this WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation.
Getting vaccinated is one way we can take care of not only ourselves but also our families and communities. Neglecting to do so "carries a lot of problems with hospitalizations. There are still a lot of deaths. And we think about that as being preventable," says Dr. Snider, who recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu shot before the end of October.
It takes about two weeks after receiving a flu shot for your body to build up antibodies to the influenza, so it's important to get vaccinated before peak flu season and traveling for Thanksgiving.
MYTH
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FACT
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| ❌ The flu shot ends up giving me the flu anyway. |
✅ The flu shot not does give you the flu. Any symptoms you feel are due to the increase of antibodies from the vaccine. |
| ❌ I'm healthy and never get sick. I don't need the flu shot. |
✅ Even if you do not end up hospitalized, healthy people can still get sick, miss work or spread the flu to others who are immunocompromised. |
| ❌ I got a flu shot last year so I don't need another. |
✅ The flu virus mutates every year and each year's vaccine formula is updated. |
Types of flu vaccines:
- Injectable ➡️ recommended for most people.
- Nasal spray ➡️ for healthy individuals ages 2-49 (though less effective than the injection.)
- High-Dose formula ➡️ for people with weakened immune systems such as those 65+ or organ transplant recipients.
Managing side effects:
💉 Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce arm soreness or a fever.
💉 Try getting the injection in your dominate arm. Moving your arm as much as possible will disperse the vaccine throughout your muscle tissue.
Tips for staying healthy:
🧼 Practice good hand hygiene.
😷 Wear a mask when appropriate.
💦 Stay hydrated and get enough rest.
Don't wait. Walk-in to any Cone Health Community Pharmacy location and get not only your flu shot, but other vaccines including COVID-19, RSV and Pneumonia.
