Walk-in clinics begin offering the flu shot before flu season begins. This is the ideal time to get vaccinated since it takes about two weeks for protective antibodies to build up in your body. During the first two weeks after you get the shot, you aren’t fully protected and may still get the flu. However, even if you’ve waited to get the shot, it’s still beneficial to get vaccinated any time during flu season.
Who Should Get The Shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that everyone age six months and older get a flu shot every season, barring any contraindications. Getting an annual flu shot protects yourself from serious symptoms and complications of the flu, which may become life-threatening. Some flu-related complications include:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Dehydration
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Heart problems
- Muscle inflammation
The flu can also worsen pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and congestive heart failure. Certain people are more susceptible to flu complications than others, including:
- Babies and young children
- Elderly individuals
- Individuals with chronic medical conditions
- Pregnant women
Even if you aren’t at a higher risk of life-threatening complications from the flu, and even if you aren’t particularly worried about getting the flu, a flu shot is still a good idea. This is because protecting yourself will protect everyone else with whom you interact from day today. And some of those individuals might not be able to get the flu shot to protect themselves.
Who Should Not Get The Shot
Babies who are younger than six months cannot receive the flu shot. This means that every time a baby comes into contact with an unvaccinated person, there is the possibility for flu germs to be transmitted and infect the child. Additionally, the flu shot is contraindicated for people who may have life-threatening allergic reactions to any ingredient in the vaccine.
Who Should Talk to a Doctor Before Getting The Shot
Talk to your family medicine provider if you’re not sure whether you should get the flu shot or not. For example, if you’re feeling under the weather, you can consult a healthcare provider about whether you should wait to get the shot. You should also consult your doctor if you have Guillain-Barre syndrome, an egg allergy, or an allergy to any of the other ingredients in the vaccine.
You can get your annual flu shot at Paramount Urgent Care. If you do skip the vaccine and come down with the flu in the Orlando area, we’re open seven days per week to help you feel well again. Serving all of Orlando, Lake, Polk, Sumter, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Please visit our contact us page for a location near you or call 352-674-9218.
The post Who Should Get A Flu Shot? appeared first on Paramount Urgent Care.