Why Get Vaccinated?

It's especially important for people with certain medical conditions (like kidney disease, diabetes, HIV, heart problems, or asthma) to get a flu vaccine because getting vaccinated can protect against complications like pneumonia. Kids and teens who take aspirin regularly also need to be vaccinated because they're at risk for developing a serious condition called Reye syndrome if they get the flu.

Another reason for getting vaccinated is to protect the people around you who might get seriously ill from flu, especially because many (like very young babies) can't be vaccinated themselves. It's what scientists call "herd immunity" — by protecting yourself you are also protecting other people who are more vulnerable because there's less chance you'll get the flu and pass it on. No one likes to get the flu so you should get vaccinated.

So be sure to get vaccinated if you are around people who are at risk if they get the flu, like babies, people with a serious illness, and the elderly. You wouldn't want your little baby brother or sister to get the flu at such a young age.

The best time to get a flu shot in the United States is in October or November. This gives the body a chance to build up immunity before the winter flu season. However, you can get a flu shot throughout flu season and still have some protection against the flu. You can also protect yourself against the flu by washing your hands frequently. Washing your hands also keeps you very clean and it protects you from other germs.

Flu vaccines are available as a shot or nasal mist (a type of spray that's squirted up the nose). The shot contains killed flu viruses that won't cause people to get the flu, but will cause the body to make antibodies to fight off infection by the live flu virus.

The flu shot is about 80% effective against the flu, which means that a few people who get the shot will still get the flu. In addition, the shot only contains certain strains of the virus. If a new flu strain emerges, a person who's had a shot may not be protected against it.

Get protected now with flu vaccine.