What is Flu Vaccination Week and Why Does it Matter?
This year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is from December 5th to December 11th. It’s a week that is observed annually in December to remind everyone 6 months and older that there is still time to get vaccinated against the flu. Vaccination is of heightened importance for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. This includes people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. In previous flu seasons 9 out of 10 adults hospitalized for flu had at least one underlying medical condition. NIVW is a nationwide call to action to encourage everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot. The more people are vaccinated against the flu, the more people are protected from the flu.
Why Get a Flu Vaccination Every Year?
It’s important to get a flu vaccination every year because there are several flu viruses that are constantly changing. Therefore, over time protection afforded by a vaccination decreases. A yearly flu vaccine is the best way to prevent getting and spreading the flu. Flu vaccines have been proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. The flu can mean a few days of feeling bad and missing work or it can result in more serious complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
How to Spread the Word about Flu Vaccination?
There are many ways to spread the word about the importance of getting flu vaccinations. By visiting the CDC website you can find several resources to share social media content, patient reminder messages if you’re a doctor, printable posters and flyers, etc. It is important that getting a flu vaccination is not just an individual action but a series of individual actions thereby preventing the spread of the flu.
Where to Get a Flu Vaccination?
The CDC recommends using a licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. One of the approved vaccines can be found in many doctor’s offices and clinics. Even if you do not have a regular doctor or nurse or do not want to visit a doctor’s office, the flu vaccine is administered in health departments, pharmacies, urgent care clinics, college health centers, and even in some schools and workplaces. In fact, Freedom Home Care recently had multiple dates where they provided flu vaccines. Be on the lookout for this kind of flu vaccination event. It is a service that is provided or can be arranged with Freedom Home Care.
Go Get Your Flu Vaccination – For Your Sake and For Your Loved Ones
The flu remains a significant public health concern and this week will serve to remind people that there is always time to get a flu vaccine – the only vaccine that protects against the flu. Get your vaccine before this holiday season and before flu season picks up!
