FIVE MAIN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE
The approach of flu season is typically publicized with some urgency, and for good reason. Though estimates vary widely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that from October 2019 to March 2020, as many as 54 million people became sick with influenza. Up to 710,000 were sick enough to be hospitalized, and an estimated 23,000-59,000 died, according to CDC statistics.
Millions of Americans each year have the potential risk of catching the flu, so for many people, it’s essential to get vaccinated in advance of the flu season. As with any medication, you may have questions about the flu vaccine, its effectiveness, and whether it is safe.
You have the option of receiving a flu shot from your doctor or from an on-site flu shots clinic in Gainesville, GA. Here are five things you should know about the flu vaccine.
How Does It Work?
The most common flu vaccine is manufactured using fertilized chicken eggs. The influenza viruses are allowed to replicate before they are inactivated, or killed. When you receive an injection of the vaccine that contains the inactivated viruses, your immune system develops antibodies to fight the illness. If you come into contact with the flu virus again, you will have the antibodies to keep from getting sick.
A Better Vaccine
Recent technology has produced a better flu vaccine. The U.S. vaccine supply has been produced using chicken eggs for decades. In the past few years, Australian researchers produced a vaccine using cell-based technology. The researchers say their vaccine is 36.2 percent more effective in preventing flu-like illness, so keep an eye out for it.
Early Is Better
The flu season typically runs from October to March of the following year, and the vaccine is often available as early as September. Getting a flu shot as soon as the vaccine is available is the most proactive approach for your health.
Side Effects
A substantial number of people believe you can get the flu from an inoculation, according to one study. You can’t contract the flu from a flu shot, but there is the potential for side effects that are typically mild. You may experience soreness, swelling, headaches, nausea, or fainting. The physician at the walk-in flu shots clinic you visit will discuss potential side effects with you.
Severe Reactions
Side effects from a flu shot are typically mild, but in some cases, they can be more severe with people who have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Swelling around the eyes or lips, difficulty breathing, or a rapid heartbeat are a few of the signs to watch for. You’ll want to disclose any allergies you may have before you receive the vaccination. If you suffer an allergic reaction following the shot, don’t wait. Call your doctor or visit an emergency room for treatment.
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to receive a flu shot. Your health care provider may cover the cost, and many corporate human resources departments offer flu shots to its employees at little or no cost as a preventative health measure.
Lanier Urgent Care is a convenient flu shots clinic in Gainesville, GA, for children and adults. When it is time for your annual flu shot, and you want a facility that accepts walk-in patients, contact Lanier Urgent Care 770-824-4610 today.
