Every year flu season approaches and thousands of Americans head to their doctors, pharmacies, and other locations that distribute the flu shot to prepare for the onslaught on their immune system. If you’re one of the many people who decide against receiving this shot for whatever reason, you may want to reconsider your decision the next time flu season rolls around.

The Flu Can Be Serious

You might consider the flu to be a minor inconvenience that can take you out of commission for a few days, cause you to miss a little work, and make you feel miserable for a week. All in all, this outcome makes it seems like a relatively low-risk gamble to not be vaccinated. However, remember that the flu lands thousands of people in the hospital every year, some of whom die due to complications. Why not take a simple precaution to cut down on your chances of being infected by about 60 percent?

You Can Help Others in the Community

Keep in mind that the flu vaccine is specifically targeted toward people who could experience severe side effects and need extra protection from the illness. This is why it’s recommended that pregnant women and people aged 65 and older all receive the vaccination, as well as caretakers who help those at risk for infection. So, if you, your family, and the other people you’re around on a daily basis don’t fall into the at-risk groups, and you’re not a caretaker, why should you bother with the vaccination? The answer lies in the concept of herd immunity. Consider that some people simply can’t receive the vaccine, whether they’re prohibited due to young age, illness, or allergy – yet many of these people can experience some particularly negative complications from catching the flu, up to and including death. Instead of leaving these people completely defenseless, they can be protected by others in their community. After all, if there’s no one around you with the flu, you can’t catch it. By being vaccinated, you not only help protect yourself from the flu, but you also contribute to the herd immunity that many at-risk people rely on to keep them healthy.

You Have Several Options

While many people avoid receiving a flu shot simply because it’s an inconvenience, some stay away because they’re afraid of the needles typically associated with such vaccines. If you’re avoiding getting vaccinated due to this fear, you might be relieved to know that in addition to the typical shot in the arm, there are also intradermal shots that use a tiny needle (1/10 the size of a normal needle) to inject the vaccine. This needle is less painful, so it may be easier for you to handle. If an injection is out of the question for you, look into the nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is available for people from age 2 to 49.

If you want to learn more about the flu vaccine, you can discuss it with your health care provider or check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: patient education, flu vaccine, flu, influenza