The flu is a viral infection that is highly contagious and can cause severe illness, even in healthy adults. Flu season begins in the early fall and can last through the winter and spring months. The flu can make you very sick, however, getting your annual flu shot is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from severe illness caused by the flu. Many people have reservations about whether the flu shot is safe. This article will review some common misconceptions about the flu shot.
If you’re in need of your annual flu shot, you can walk into AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst! Our walk-in urgent care clinic offers same-day flu shots with no appointment necessary. We’re open every day. Simply walk in when it's convenient, or schedule your visit online below.
Should Everyone Get a Flu Shot?
The short answer is yes, everyone should get the flu shot. The flu shot is a safe and effective way to reduce your risk of getting seriously sick from the flu. This is especially true for at-risk individuals with underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems, as well as the elderly and young children under 6 months.
Common Misconceptions About the Flu Shot
It Gives You the Flu
A very common misconception about the flu shot is that it gives you the flu. The flu shot works by introducing your immune system to a dead flu virus. This allows your body to build up the antibodies necessary to fight off the influenza virus without getting you sick.
You Don’t Need It If You’re Healthy
The CDC recommends that everyone eligible receive their annual flu vaccine. The flu can cause even healthy adults to become seriously ill. Furthermore, getting your flu shot helps prevent the spread of the flu, which can help protect anyone who is immunocompromised and unable to get the flu shot.
It Doesn’t Always Work
The influenza virus has multiple strains, and the goal of the flu shot is to fight against the most prevalent strain that year. This means that the flu shot changes every year, which is why it's important to receive your flu shot annually. Sometimes, you can catch a strain of the flu that your flu shot is not targeted towards.
Walk Into AFC Lyndhurst for Your Annual Flu Shot this Fall
If you’re eligible, you should get your annual flu shot. It is vital to protecting yourself and the vulnerable members of your community from the flu. Although there are many misconceptions about the flu shot, getting your annual flu shot significantly reduces your risk of experiencing severe symptoms from contracting the flu.
At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, we offer flu shots on a walk-in basis 7 days a week. Our clinic makes it fast and convenient to get your annual flu shot when it’s convenient for your schedule. Our clinic has short wait times, and we accept patients of all ages. In many cases, flu shots are fully covered by medical insurance and our clinic works with most medical insurance plans. We also have competitive rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, give our team a call at (201) 345-3839.
