The 2017-2018 flu season was one of the most severe the United States has experienced in decades.

This past flu season approximately 80,000 lives were lost to the flu and flu related illnesses according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of greater susceptibility many of these deaths were either small children or the elderly.

Preventing a Recurrence of Last Year

Each year flu vaccines are developed to address those strains of influenza that are predicted to be most prevalent. The formulations for the upcoming flu season have been changed in two key ways according to the CDC.  The nasty H3N2 strain that sickened many people last year has been updated.  The influenza B virus  targeted for protection in the vaccine has also been changed.

So far, the revamped vaccines look promising based on observations of Australia’s current flu season where these vaccines are now in use.

There is No Time Like the Present to Get Vaccinated

Now is the time to get your annual flu shot. Once you have received a shot, it takes about two weeks for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body.

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. A flu shot or nasal spray can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. In 2017, a study in Pediatrics was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination also significantly reduced a child’s risk of dying from influenza.

Getting a flu shot also helps protect more vulnerable populations including the elderly, very young children, pregnant women and individuals with certain allergies who can't get the vaccine.

A flu shot can come with mild side effects, including soreness, low-grade fever, and muscle aches.  But that's clearly better than coming down with the full-blown flu, which can knock you out for over a week.

Blackbird Clinical Services Offers Low Cost Flu Shots

It is easy and fast to get your flu shot at Blackbird Clinical Service’s office located off S.R. 26 at 2 Executive Dr., Suite D, Lafayette, IN.

You can call for an appointment or just stop in.  Cost for the Quadravalent vaccination is just $27.  Sorry, but we don’t accept insurance for these shots.

Need More Details

We are happy to answer any questions pertaining to flu shots.  Please give us a call at 765-447-8700, or send me an email at [email protected].