There is a another more familiar threat on the horizon, and that is the common flu…and the good news is…we have a vaccine for the flu.
The now familiar Center for Disease Control (CDC) made the following recommendation:
“Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.
History tells us only about one-half of the U.S. population got a flu shot last year, and, 410,000 were hospitalized. Getting a flu shot is important!
We continue to hear false theories about flu vaccinations. Here are a few of the common ones:
- I had the flu shot and still came down with the flu! Mostly false. The flu vaccine does not contain any live virus’ so it cannot ‘give you” the flu. But the vaccine does not protect you 100% because there are so many variations of flu strains. And, you will not be protected until about ten days after being inoculated.
- I never get the flu, so I don’t need to be vaccinated. Wrong! It simply means you have been fortunate. You are still susceptible to the flu. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get annual flu vaccine by the end of October.
- The flu isn’t potentially fatal like Covid-19. Wrong, last year it is estimated by the CDC an estimated 50 million American suffered from the flu and the death toll from the flu could have been as high as 62,000 lives.
So, what’s the good news? The protection against catching the flu is basically the same as how to avoid the coronavirus. Wear a mask, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, be aware of contact with common surfaces and social distance. And, the best protection against the flu is a flu vaccination.
First Care Clinic has the flu vaccine and our regular patients can visit the clinic and get a flu shot without an appointment. However, if you have other medical issues you wish to discuss, it is best to make an appointment.