Do I Still Need a Flu Shot?

When You Should Get Your Flu Shot

Though the pandemic is still lingering, it’s vital that all patients receive their flu shot this season to protect themselves from becoming sick. Keep reading for a refresher on who should receive their shot and when to get vaccinated.

The Best Time for a Flu Shot

You should be vaccinated each year against the seasonal influenza virus. Why? Because different strains of the virus are prevalent annually, meaning you may have built immunity against last year’s strain, but you aren’t protected against this year’s.

The CDC states that most seasonal flu cases in the United States occur between December and February. This means that the best time to receive your flu shot is by the end of October into November so that the vaccine has time to work through your system throughout the fall and winter. If you haven’t received your shot yet — you still should.

Who Should Get the Shot?

Getting your annual flu shot is your best defense against illness. It can also help you differentiate between flu-like symptoms and other illnesses to help you get the care you need.

The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should receive a flu shot once a year. Individuals that are at higher risk for severe flu symptoms should especially consider being vaccinated, including:

• Those with chronic conditions, like asthma and diabetes.
• Those with heart disease.
• Adults over the age of 65.
• Pregnant women.
• Those who have HIV or AIDS.

Patients in these risk groups should receive their flu shots and maintain proper social distancing guidelines to reduce their chances of contracting a respiratory virus.

Emergency Flu Care in Longview, Nacogdoches, and Odessa

More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of the flu, and annual flu-related deaths ranging from 3,000 to 49,000 people in the United States. And though the pandemic continues, the risk of getting very sick from the flu is still present.