Getting a Flu Vaccine Helps Prevent More Than the Flu

If you’re undecided about getting a flu vaccine, this might help determine if it’s the right thing for you and/or your family…

It’s All About The Numbers

We already know that the flu vaccine lowers the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder but a recent study is definitely good news for those with diabetes.

Researchers followed diabetic patients’ medical histories over seven years. They found that getting the vaccine decreased the risk of being hospitalized for a heart attack by 19%, heart failure by 22% and the flu or pneumonia by 15%. Overall, people who got the flu shot had a 24% lower death rate than people who didn’t. Those are pretty good numbers!

Do I Really Need A Flu Vaccine?

Even if you don’t have diabetes or other chronic illness, you may be wondering if getting the flu shot really makes a difference and whether or not you should get it.  Here’s some helpful info:

Each year, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized for respiratory and heart problems associated with seasonal flu. It also causes 3,000 to 49,000 deaths annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Getting the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of being hospitalized with flu related illness for both children and adults.

Studies show that people over 50 who got a flu vaccine reduced their risk of being hospitalized for flu by 57%.

The vaccine was associated with lower rates of some cardiac events for people with heart disease, especially those who had a cardiac episode in the past year.

Vaccination helps protect mom and baby both during and several months after pregnancy.

A study that looked at flu shot effectiveness in pregnant women found that it reduced the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection by about 50%.

If you do get sick, having the flu vaccination also may help reduce the severity of your illness.

Getting the flu shot is an important prevention for people who have chronic health conditions.

Protect yourself as well as the people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

When Is The Best Time To Get The Flu Shot?

Mid-October or November is the best time because the flu epidemics typically start in January or February and it takes a few weeks to develop immunity against it.

Where Can I Get A Flu Shot?

Getting a flu shot is simple and convenient since so many drug/grocery store/chains have in-store clinics. You can get it at your doctor’s office, county health department locations and even warehouse stores (where you don’t even need a membership to get one).

How Much Does A Flu Shot Cost?

Prices can vary for vaccines, anything from about $15 at warehouse stores to $30 and up. However, keep in mind that many insurance companies cover most, if not all of the cost.

What Are The Side effects Of the Flu Shot?

While they vary by person, possible side effects are: soreness or redness at injection site, aches, fever, nausea, runny nose, wheezing or coughing, headache or dizziness. They’re typically not severe and disappear in just a day or so.

Overall, you’re much better off getting the flu vaccine than not. Putting it off puts you and others at a higher risk of infection. Be safe and prevent the flu now rather than suffering through to it later.

Your health matters to us. If you have any questions concerning this post, call us at (248) 357-3100 today. We’re always happy to hear from our awesome patients!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.