Why You Should Get a Flu Shot This Year and How Do They Work?
- Posted on: Nov 15 2023
In the past few years, we have all learned a lot about viruses and other infectious diseases, from how they spread to how to prevent them. Flu shots are a crucial preventive measure to protect yourself and others from the influenza virus. By understanding how flu shots work and their significance, you can make an informed decision to ensure your health and contribute to our healthy community.
How Do Flu Shots Work?
Like many vaccines, the flu shot works by causing your body to create antibodies against the flu. These antibodies protect against future infection, making it easier to fight off the illness if you become exposed. The vaccine contains fragments of inactivated or weakened flu viruses, which stimulate the immune system to build protection against the virus.
Between 2010 and 2020, each year the flu led to an estimated 10 to 41 million illnesses and 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations. The flu shot is one of the most important ways to avoid getting the flu.
Every year, the strains (or types) of seasonal flu are different, and researchers work hard to predict which they believe will be the four most common strains. These go into that year’s flu vaccine, so getting your flu vaccine each year becomes even more essential.
The flu vaccine’s effectiveness depends on the season, including whether or not the strains in the vaccine were well-matched to the ones that spread. When this match is strong, studies have shown that the flu vaccine reduces your chances of getting sick by up to 60%. From 2019 to 2020, the vaccine prevented an estimated 7.5 million cases of the flu.
Importance of Getting a Flu Shot
Protection for yourself:
Getting a flu shot provides direct personal protection from the flu. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection, lessens the severity of symptoms, and lowers the chances of flu-related complications, such as pneumonia. Particularly for individuals with weakened or vulnerable immune systems, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, or those with underlying medical conditions, the flu shot acts as a vital safeguard against serious illness and potential hospitalization.
Prevention of flu transmission:
By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to the protection of those around you. Even healthy individuals with strong immune systems can contract the flu and unknowingly transmit it to others, including family members, friends, colleagues, or vulnerable populations. By receiving a flu shot, you minimize the chances of becoming an unwitting carrier of the virus and help break the chain of transmission, ultimately safeguarding vulnerable individuals who may experience severe consequences from the flu.
Reducing the strain on healthcare systems:
Especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. By getting a flu shot, you reduce your risk of contracting the flu and requiring medical attention. This not only ensures that healthcare resources can be allocated for other pressing needs, such as COVID-19 treatment and diagnosis, but it also helps protect healthcare workers from being overwhelmed by simultaneous flu and COVID-19 cases.
The Significance of Flu Shots This Year
This year, it is especially important to protect vulnerable populations, as they may be at higher risk for severe illness or complications from both the flu and COVID-19. Getting a flu shot not only helps safeguard vulnerable individuals from the flu but also indirectly protects them from potential co-infections or delays in diagnoses due to overlapping flu and COVID-19 symptoms.
Summary
Flu shots are highly effective in preventing the flu and its complications, both for individuals and communities. By receiving a flu shot, you not only protect yourself but also play an essential role in reducing the spread of the virus and alleviating the burden on healthcare systems. Especially during the current pandemic, it is crucial to get vaccinated and ensure the health and safety of oneself and others. Schedule your flu shot this year and make a difference in the fight against influenza.
The flu shot takes just a few minutes of your time each year. As one of the most important protective measures against the flu, it can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones healthy this flu season.
To schedule your flu shot, you may call either of our locations in San Pedro. If you have questions about flu shots or your health in general, feel free to speak with our doctors at Prime Medical, by calling (310) 548-0201.
Thank You For Reading!
Tagged with: how do flu shots work, why get a flu shot