Many of us balk at getting a flu shot each year for a number of reasons. We think we are healthy, so we don’t believe we need to be immunized; we think a flu shot will give us the flu (not true); or we just don’t take the time. In 2017 49% of adults and 59% of children were vaccinated.
Everyone Needs a Flu Shot
If you don’t think you need a flu shot, those around you would disagree. Especially if you are around young children or older adults who are more susceptible to catching the flu.
Symptoms of influenza usually appear 1-4 days after exposure. This means you are most contagious during the 24 hours before symptoms appear and may be contagious for up to 5 -7 days after getting sick.
Children and Older Adults are Most Susceptible
Last year’s flu season according to the Center for Disease Control was one of the longest, most wide spread and sever in years. They estimate that flu takes between 12,000 to 56,000 lives a year and in the 2017-2018 season a total of 180 pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC. This number exceeds the highest number of flu-associated deaths in children of 171 during the 2012-2013 season. Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination.
People 65 years and older accounted for approximately 58% of reported influenza-associated hospitalizations. Overall hospitalization rates (all ages) during 2017-2018 were the highest ever recorded.
Flu can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Babies under six months can’t get the flu shot, yet they are more susceptible to influenza than adults.
So if not for you, do it for them
Getting a flu shot is easy and inexpensive. And if you don’t think you need one, take a minute and consider those who might contract the flu, if you were to expose them to the virus. Here’s what the CDC recommends:
- Everyone 6 months of age or older get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
Young children, pregnant women, those over 65 years of age, and anyone with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, are at a higher risk for serious flu complications and should be vaccinated.
. - If you become ill with flu symptoms, the CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Try to avoid contact with others when you are sick and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue in the trash. You can find more details at Taking Care of Yourself.
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.
To Receive More Details
We are happy to answer any questions pertaining to flu shots. Please send me an email at [email protected] or give us a call at 765-447-8700.
