Public Health Question

Presented By
Monmouth County Regional Health Commission No. 1

February 26, 2019

Why Should I get the Flu Vaccine Annually?

Answer:

 The flu can be a devastating disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. The flu can cause serious illness to people of all ages, ethnicities, races, and backgrounds. Even the healthiest of people can become severely ill due to the effects of the flu. With that being said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals above the age of 6 months get vaccinated annually against the flu.

The flu is spread from person to person meaning that an individual with the flu can spread it to another individual that is within 6 feet. The flu is spread by droplets that occur when people cough, sneeze, or even talk. The droplets can land on or near the mouth/nose of the “healthy” person and can be inhaled into their lungs. Some people who do not feel sick can still pass the flu onto other people. The flu vaccination helps protect individuals along with friends and family they come in contact with. This is important because some friends and family members may face more severe consequences if they fall ill with the flu. Seniors over the age of 65, children younger than 5, and pregnant women can face a higher risk of complications from the flu than others.

The annual flu vaccine is important to get because the flu is oftentimes unpredictable. Flu viruses are constantly changing meaning that immunity from vaccinations decline over time. The annual flu vaccine protects against the flu strain that researchers believe will be the most common. Finally, flu vaccines are made with killed or weakened (attenuated) viruses. This means the flu vaccine will not directly get you sick from receiving it as this is not a live influenza injection.

Proper and consistent hand washing hygiene and cough etiquette is a top priority defense measure for all age groups.