National Influenza Vaccination Week is our annual reminder to protect ourselves with a flu vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t just protect us, it protects our family, our neighbors, and our friends. A flu vaccine can save lives.
The flu (also known as the influenza virus) is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. The flu is passed onto others when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. It can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes it can lead to death.
Flu Symptoms
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• In children, vomiting or diarrhea
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is with an annual vaccine. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get one every year. And it’s recommended that people over 65 years of age get the high-dose flu vaccine. When more of us are vaccinated, we can limit the spread of the flu, and protect the most vulnerable in our community.
Flu season is already here, and usually peaks between December and February. As the winter season approaches, Immunize Nevada is here to remind you that there’s still time to get your flu vaccine.
It’s just the flu – until it’s not
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths result from influenza each year. Complications from the flu can lead to pneumonia and can make chronic medical problems worse.
People who are more likely to experience serious complications from the flu, include:
• People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease
• Anyone younger than 5 or older than 65
• Pregnant people
Vaccines are the best protection from respiratory illness
COVID-19 has not gone away, and the flu and COVID are both respiratory illnesses. The flu and COVID present symptoms very similarly, so you could think you have one when you actually have the other. This means you can have both at the same time.
According to the CDC, people with flu and COVID-19 at the same time can have a worse illness than being sick with flu or COVID-19 alone. Luckily, vaccines can be given for both of these illnesses at once.
When you stay up to date on your vaccinations, not only do you keep yourself protected, you help ease the strain on our healthcare system by preventing hospitalizations and other urgent doctor visits.
Remember, receiving a flu vaccine can’t give you the flu. Americans have been safely receiving the flu vaccine for over 50 years. According to the CDC, there has been extensive research supporting the safety of flu vaccines.
Answer the call this National Influenza Vaccination Week to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community with a flu vaccine. Remind your friends and family to do the same.
It is not too late to get your flu shot and getting a flu shot is easy and convenient! Carson City Health and Human Services offers walk-in vaccination clinics every Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; no appointment is necessary.
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit our website at gethealthycarsoncity.org, follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/cchhs, like us on Twitter @CCHealthEd, follow us on Instagram @GetHealthCarsonCity, or call us at 775-887-2190. You can also find us at 900 East Long St., in Carson City.