« Back to Store

Flu Vaccine

Why get the vaccine?

Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Flu is caused by influenza viruses, and is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing, and close contact.  Anyone can get flu. Flu strikes suddenly and can last several days.  Symptoms vary by age, but can include:

• fever/chills
• sore throat
• muscle aches
• fatigue
• cough
• headache
• runny or stuffy nose

Flu can also lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhea and seizures in children. If you have a medical condition, such as heart or lung disease, flu can make it worse.

Flu is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk.

Each yearthousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized.

The Flu vaccine is inactivated, there is no live flu virus in flu shots. The flu vaccinecannot cause the flu.

How it works?

The flu vaccinecauses antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

When should I get vaccinated?

While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.

VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT (from the CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf