Yikes,do I see yellow and red leaves on the trees, and are those cool nights more frequent than not? It looks like it’s that time of year again for you and your family to vaccinate against the flu.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) are reminding the public to get flu shots for several reasons: Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body. That’s why it is better to be vaccinated by the end of October, before flu season really gets up and running.
The flu viruses are constantly evolving.
The antibodies from vaccination declines over time, making an annual vaccine optimal.
A flu vaccination does not cause you to get the flu. The vaccination can keep you from getting the flu and has also shown it can reduce the severity of the illness in those that get vaccinated but still get sick. If you get the flu, after the vaccination, it is possible:
You may have been exposed to the flu virus prior to getting the vaccination, and your body *it’ll takes your body about 2 weeks to develop the antibodies once you have been vaccinated.
The flu virus you had been exposed to was not included in the seasonal flu vaccine formulation. *The virus is constantly evolving.
Despite getting vaccinated, there are some that will become infected. The effectiveness of the vaccine varies based on health, and age factors of those being vaccinated.
Reduced flu-associated hospitalizations and associated expenses among children and older adults.
A 2014 study showed that flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012
Another study published in the summer of 2016 showed that people 50 years and older who got a flu vaccine reduced their risk of getting hospitalized from flu by 57%
A 2017 study was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from influenza.
Save Money — The associated costs when ill with the flu can add up very quickly. According to the CDC it costs approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalization and outpatient visits for adults.
As always, before getting vaccinated you should talk to your doctor. For more information the CDC provides and extensive guide for those who should not get a flu shot, and a resource on egg allergies and the flu shot.
Being vaccinated is an important preventative tool in keeping you, your family and everyone you encounter healthy. Building a healthy community is at the heart of the Tamworth Community Nurse Association (TCNA), where compassion counts!
To learn more Suzanne Allison, Quality Assurance Program Manager, from the State of New Hampshire DHHS Immunization Section will be presenting a program about the flu on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018, at 2:00 PM at the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth, NH. Immunizations will be available at the presentation.
TCNA have the flu vaccine available. Come by the office Monday to Friday 9 AM to 11 AM or make an appointment by calling 323-8511. The cost is $15.00 for Tamworth residents and $20.00 for non-residents. If payment is a hardship, we will waive the fee for Tamworth residents.