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It’s time to get your flu shot. Call today to make an appointment and ensure you’re as protected as possible during the upcoming cold and flu season.

Call: 1-800-859-0085

The flu is deadly

Last year, roughly 80,000 people “died of the flu and its complications,” according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [1] That’s about the equivalent of losing every passenger aboard 133 Boeing 747 airplanes.

Flu myths

Myth: The flu shot can give me the flu.

Fact: Wrong. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot. That’s because the vaccine is made from the killed virus or a “single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus).” [2]

That said, some people report not feeling well after getting the vaccine. Mild fever, soreness, aches, headaches, etc., can occur as your body mounts a response. But this IS NOT the flu.

Myth: I got a flu shot last season so I’m probably fine.

Fact: The flu virus changes over time. You need a flu shot every year to ensure you’re protected against newer strains of the virus.

Myth: Getting the flu is better than getting the vaccine.

Fact: As we stated above, 80,000 people last year got the flu. It’s a serious illness. A flu shot reduces the risk of developing the illness. Moreover, getting the flu shot helps protect your family, your friends, and your coworkers.

Myth: After a couple of days, I’m not contagious anymore.

Fact: You’re contagious longer than you might think. Take a look at the video below. It provides some great information in a fun and easy-to-understand way:

How bad is the flu where I live?

New York

The New York State Department of Health actually tracks flu activity in our state. [4] This may be one of those websites you want to bookmark and check frequently during the cold and flu season: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/.

Nationwide

If you’re traveling, or want to know how bad the flu is elsewhere in the country, take a look at the Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm. [5]

 

Resources

  1. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/408599-cdc-80000-people-died-from-flu-last-winter
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm
  3. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/01/652140517/think-you-dont-need-a-flu-shot-here-are-5-reasons-to-change-your-mind
  4. https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/
  5. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm