Vaccines don’t contain a form of the flu that can get you sick. Experts make vaccines using a dead or inactive strain of the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention carefully studies each new vaccine to guarantee its safety.

Most vaccines are injected directly into an arm muscle. A nasal spray option is available during some flu seasons. People over 65 years old should talk to their doctor about their vaccine options.

There are some side effects of a vaccine. They include:

• Aches
• Low-grade fever
• Mild flu-like symptoms, although it is impossible to get the flu from a vaccine
• Soreness localized to the area you received a shot
• It is very rare to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu shot.
• If you do have a reaction, it will likely be within minutes of receiving the flu shot.
• Soreness and redness at the injection site are the most common side effects.

In the United States, 5% to 20% of people get the flu every year. By getting the vaccine, you’ll protect yourself and others from the influenza virus. The misery of having the flu lasts for days and some symptoms last for weeks. The flu also weakens your immune system, leading to secondary infections that can be fatal. Avoid sickness and hospitalization by getting the updated vaccine every year.

Flu season is from November to April with most people getting sick from late December to early March. Stay protected and get the vaccine as early as it is available, usually in September or October.

• The Good Samaritan Society does not require residents to get the flu shot.
• We highly recommend the vaccine because residents are typically in the high-risk category.
• Nurses in each location are ready to administer the vaccine so residents don’t even need to leave the building.
• The vaccine is available from September through May.

• Since 2000, the vaccination rate among adults 65 and older has been right around 70%.
• This is the highest vaccination rate of all age groups.
• The CDC’s Healthy People initiative has a goal of reaching a 90% vaccination rate for this population.

Most flu shots have egg proteins in them. However, people who are allergic to eggs can still get the vaccine. There are also some vaccines available that don’t contain any egg proteins. Talk to your doctor to see if it’s safe for you to get the regular shot or an alternative option.

Common flu shot myths include:

• Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu. Truth: It is impossible to get the flu from the vaccine since it uses a dead and inactive strain of influenza. You could experience mild flu-like symptoms, but you won't get the actual virus.
• Myth: The flu isn’t a serious illness. Truth: Thousands of people die every year in the United States of complications from the flu. While the flu itself doesn’t kill people, it lowers your ability to fight other potentially fatal infections.
• Myth: You can have severe reactions to the vaccine. Truth: It is very rare to get serious reactions, and these reactions often happen within minutes or hours of getting the vaccine. Soreness and redness are the most common side effects.
• Myth: Healthy people don’t need shots. Truth: Just as you still wear your seatbelt even if you’ve never been in a car accident, you should still get vaccinated.

Flu shot myths debunked.

It is safe for older adults to get the flu vaccine. Seniors should get vaccinated once every year in the fall.

Older adults are more likely to need hospitalization because of flu complications and the flu can be deadly in seniors. The vaccine protects from the misery of the flu as well as a costly hospital stay and worse complications.

There is also a high-dose vaccine available to the senior population that provides even more protection against influenza. If you’re 65 or older, talk to your doctor about getting the high-dose vaccine.

According to the CDC, it is estimated that between 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50-70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.

The flu vaccine should be a normal part of your health care routine so you reduce your risk of exacerbating chronic conditions.

If you’re concerned about your health, you should prioritize getting a flu vaccine this season. Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family. Call your local clinic to learn more about their safety measures and schedule an appointment.

Data shared by the CDC suggests that in adults 65 years and older, the flu vaccine lowered the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by about 40%.

Although the flu vaccine does not prevent influenza 100% of the time, it does reduce your chances of getting sick.

If you do get sick, having a flu shot is likely to reduce the severity of the symptoms you experience, reducing your risk of flu-related complications.

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