• Society
  • Foundation
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • About
    • Locations
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
    • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
    • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
    • Our stories
    • Careers
  • Society
  • Foundation
  • Good Samaritan Society
    • Call
    • Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Menu
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
      • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
      • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
      • Our stories
      • Careers
      • About
      • Newsroom
      • History
      • Spiritual well-being
      • Leadership
      • Volunteer
      • Project Outreach
      • Physicians
      • Annual report
      • Pharmacy services
      • Newsletter
    • Locations
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services
    Resources
    • Home
    • Resources
    • Protect yourself and your family

    Get email updates

    E-News

    Learn more about the Good Samaritan Society.

    Resources

    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services

    Popular Keywords

    • volunteering
    • support
    • senior housing
    • retirement
    • rehab therapy
    • prayer
    • motivational
    • mental health
    • loneliness
    • home care
    • guideposts
    • family
    • employee
    • devotional
    • dementia
    • conversations
    • caregiver
    • Impact stories
    • COVID-19
    • Alzheimers

    Protect yourself and your family

    Join discussion Share
    • Category: Health
    • Keywords:
      • flu shot
      • flu
      • influenza
    • Comments: 0
    • Posted: 9/30/2020

    Your best defense against influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated. Across the country, hundreds of millions of people have gotten the flu vaccine safely for decades. It is a reliable way to keep you and your family from getting sick.

    This year, it’s especially important to get your flu shot. The Good Samaritan Society, Sanford Health and other health systems will be handling two circulating viruses this fall, influenza and COVID-19. By getting vaccinated against the flu, you’re protecting yourself and your community from that illness and freeing up medical resources to care for COVID-19 patients.

    What is the Flu?

    The flu is a virus that targets the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause:

    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Cough
    • Sore throat
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Vomiting (in children)

    These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

    The flu can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to other infections. These secondary infections make the flu potentially life-threatening to young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women. In an average year, the flu leads to thousands of deaths nationwide and many more hospitalizations.

    Learn more about the flu.

    Why Get Vaccinated?

    You can significantly lower your chance of getting the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months or older get vaccinated every year. The virus mutates, or changes, regularly. Make sure you’re protected with the latest vaccine. It’s best to be vaccinated by the end of October each year.

    The flu shot is essential for older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Influenza can lead to health complications and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Vaccination can protect you from getting influenza and lessen the severity of the symptoms you experience if you do get the virus.

    Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

    Call your local clinic to schedule your flu shot appointment. You can also go to a pharmacy or a walk-in clinic. Some health systems offer drive-up flu shot clinics. These typically don’t require an appointment and are a very convenient option.

    What is the flu vaccine?

    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.

    What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

    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.
    What are the benefits of getting a flu vaccine?

    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.

    When should I get the flu shot?

    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.

    Are flu vaccines required for nursing home residents?
    • 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.
    How many seniors get flu shots?
    • 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.
    What if I’m allergic to eggs?

    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.

    What are some common flu shot myths?

    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.

    Is it safe for seniors to get the flu shot?

    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.

    Is it safe to get a flu shot during the pandemic?

    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.

    What is the success rate of the flu shot in those 65+?

    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.

    Why do you need a flu shot?

    We can’t prevent COVID-19, but we have a vaccine for the flu. The Good Samaritan Society’s Dr. Greg Johnson stresses the importance of getting the flu vaccine and how it’s especially important during a global pandemic. Watch to learn more.

    Are pets at risk for getting COVID-19?

    We know that pets can get COVID-19, but the risk of them spreading the virus is low. If you’ve tested positive for the virus, it’s a good idea to socially isolate from your pet. Watch to learn more.

    Do masks work?

    Masks are an important precaution to take since COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when talking, coughing and sneezing. Watch to learn more.

    More flu resources
    • When to see the doctor for the flu
    • Cold or flu?
    • Vaccination award
    • How can I tell if I have coronavirus

    We’re taking several precautions to keep our residents and clients safe during the pandemic.

    Read more
    • Share

    Related articles

    • Flu shots even more important during COVID-19 pandemic Flu shots even more important during COVID-19 pandemic
    • Seasonal influenza and seniors: Concerns during the pandemic Seasonal influenza and seniors: Concerns during the pandemic
    • Preparation through vaccination key to staying flu-free Preparation through vaccination key to staying flu-free

    Comments

    The help you need, when and where you need it.

    Finding care Find a location
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram

    CareersDonatePay bill

    Contact us

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    Email
    Contact

    Good Samaritan Society ®

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    • Privacy and Terms
    • Links
    • Physicians
    • Pharmacists
    • Citrix login
    • Referral partners
    • Employees
    • Pay bill

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (the Society) and Owner comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, familial status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status or other protected statuses except as permitted by applicable law, in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments to individuals, whether carried out by the Society directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which the Society arranges to carry out its programs and activities. The designated person responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with Section 504 requirements is: Director of Affordable Housing, Property Management, 4800 W. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108; phone: (605) 362-3100. For telecommunications relay service dial 711. All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), genetic information, age, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, or other protected status. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

    Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Requirements

    © 2021 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.

    Equal Housing Opportunity