Receiving a flu shot is proven to be the best defense against the flu. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get a flu shot each year. Flu season stretches from October to mid-Spring every year, typically peaking between December and February.

Elderly people and infants often experience the most intense symptoms, stemming from complications that arise in people with compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is essential for everyone – not just people with weakened immune systems – to receive a flu shot. Even if you’re completely healthy, by not receiving a vaccine, you may be endangering yourself and everyone you come into contact with throughout your daily routines.

In order to illustrate how important it is to receive a flu shot, it’s necessary to first dispel the following myths about the flu shot first:

Myth #1: Contracting the Flu Helps Build a Better Immunity Than the Flu Shot

FALSE! While contracting the flu virus does allow your body to build an immunity to the flu, the immunity is only to one strand. However, the flu shot helps protect your body against multiple strands of the flu. Also, contracting the flu in the first place leaves you vulnerable to developing dangerous complications.

Myth #2: Pregnant Women Should Not Receive a Flu Shot

FALSE! The CDC recommends that all pregnant women receive a flu shot every year. This doesn’t just immunize the mother, as the immunity spreads to the unborn child as well. This will carry over once the child is born, and once they’re 6 months, they’ll be able to also receive a flu shot.

Myth #3: Flu Shots May Cause the Flu

FALSE! Flu shots are created using dead flu particles. Therefore, you cannot contract the flu shot from the vaccine. However, since the vaccine takes roughly two weeks in order to be fully effective, people who contract the flu during this period may misattribute the cause of their flu illness to the vaccine.

To receive your flu shot, visit us today at AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care Bound Brook. For more information, feel free to call us at (732) 469-3627. We look forward to helping you enjoy a flu-free flu season.