INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS
What You Need To Know: Influenza (Flu) Vaccinations
Vaccines limit the spread of illnesses and potentially fatal diseases, saving millions of lives each
year. To protect yourself, your family, and your community from respiratory viruses, keep your
immunizations up to date.
The CDC estimates that flu has caused between 9 million and 41 million infections in the United
States during the last decade. Getting a flu vaccine every year reduces the spread and severity
of flu-related illnesses. It is advised that all people aged six months and up receive an annual flu
vaccine. If you are pregnant, you should get vaccinated against the flu to protect yourself and
your baby. The flu vaccine protects your baby until they can be immunized at 6 months of age.
Speak with your family doctor and/or pharmacist.
Flu season often begins in December and ends in February, so it’s preferable to get vaccinated
earlier, preferably in September and October. However, you can obtain the flu vaccine at any
time during the season.
Symptoms include fever or feeling feverish and chills, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, muscle
aches, and headaches, tiredness or weariness. Vomiting and diarrhea are more common among
children than adults. It is crucial to note that not everyone who has the flu develops a fever.
The majority of researchers believe that influenza viruses transmit mostly through droplets
produced when persons with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in surrounding
people’s mouths or noses, or they can be inhaled into the lungs. Putting physical distance
between yourself and others can assist to reduce the danger of spreading respiratory viruses.
Less frequently, a person may contract the flu by touching a surface or object contaminated
with the influenza virus and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. People with the flu
are most contagious during the first three days of their illness.
This content was originally provided by kristy Tu Candidate 2026