What is the first, most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications? Getting vaccinated every year is the single best way to prevent flu. Flu vaccines are the only vaccines that protect against flu and are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
December 5 – 9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually to remind us that the end of the year is not too late for everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children. Millions of children get sick with flu every year, and thousands will be hospitalized as a result. Flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time—so scheduling annual flu vaccinations is very important.
Currently, flu activity is elevated across the country. If you have not already protected yourselves and your loved ones from flu this season by getting vaccinated, there is no better time than today to do so. Please talk to your provider’s office today to find out more or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ to find a vaccination location near you.