Showing posts with label vaccine screening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vaccine screening. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fancy the flu? If not, get your shot. (Part 1 of a 2 part series)

Flu (Influenza) season is right around the corner.  One of the best ways to protect yourself is by getting a flu shot (aka the “Influenza Vaccine”) every year. The Influenza Vaccine is approved for use in all people ages 6 months and up.  It is especially recommended for people who have chronic diseases such as (but not limited to) asthma, health care providers and people who take care of or spend time with infants, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
  
When to get your shot: The ideal time is now, in October.  But, it’s never too late. It takes approximately 2 weeks for the vaccine to actually give your body protection, so ideally you want to get your shot/vaccine, before flu season hits, so that when it does, you’re protected.

Where can you get it: In addition to doctor’s offices and clinics, many pharmacies offer Influenza vaccines as long as one of their trained pharmacists is on duty.  Before making a special trip, call ahead to find out if they have the vaccine on hand,what times they are being offered and if you need an appointment If cost is a factor, you can compare prices and may want to contact your insurance company to see if they cover it and if so, do they require to go to a specific location.

You can expect to fill out a screening form at most facilities, regarding your allergies and any medical history that may make you  ineligible to get the vaccine.

Who cannot get the shot: Some examples of people who should not get the Influenza Vaccine are (but not limited to) the following; having an allergy to eggs, having a past history of being afflicted with Guillain-Barre syndrome, having a history of a severe reaction to a previous Influenza vaccine, or being currently sick/ill at the time of the shot. **Contact your doctor if you have any questions regarding any current illness or other questions/concerns you may have prior to getting an injection for Influenza Vaccine.

Getting a yearly influenza (flu) vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent getting the flu (and helps to reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick).

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