Why You Should Get Your Flu Shot Now
By Amber Page
It might still feel like summer outside, but flu season is on its way -- and it will be here before you know it.
So while it might be tempting to put off getting your flu shot, you're better off doing it sooner rather than later.
Here are six reasons why.
Flu Shots Take Some Time to Kick In
While you'll have some immunity almost immediately, it takes about two weeks for your body to make the antibodies necessary to keep you from getting sick.
And since flu season begins ramping up in mid-October, you should get yours soon in order to be fully protected.
This Year's Flu Shot is Different Than Last Year's
Think you're safe if you got one last year? Think again. The CDC makes a new version of the flu vaccine every year based on what strains they think are going to be prevalent in the upcoming season.
You need to get a flu shot every year to gain the best possible protection.
There's a Needle-Free Version of the Flu Vaccine
If you've avoided getting the vaccine because you hate needles, you're in luck. As long as you're between the ages of 2 and 49 and don't have a compromised immune system, you can get the vaccine through a painless nasal spray.
It Won't Make You Sick
It seems there are always rumors going around about someone who got the flu after getting the shot.
That simply isn't true. The flu shot is made using deadened viruses, so you can't get sick from it.
Getting the Vaccine Protects Other People
If enough people get vaccinated, the flu won't be able to spread. It's possible that you coming down with the flu might mean nothing worse than spending a couple of days in bed, but it puts many people at risk for serious complications.
It Could Save Your Life
Every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with complications from the flu. These range from relatively mild symptoms, like dehydration, to far more serious illnesses such as bacterial pneumonia.
Worse, about 36,000 people die in an average year. And in a particularly bad season, like the one that hit in 2017-18, that number skyrockets.
And if saving your life isn't a good enough reason, what is? Don't take the risk. Use this tool from the CDC to find a flu shot provider near you.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dacula, Ga.