HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR YOUR STUDENT

Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination

 

YEAR ROUND EXCUSES

Each year we hear the myths and excuses for why someone chooses not to get a flu shot.  The same excuses are used each year in hopes to avoid taking that extra step for ensuring that persons vaccination is complete.   

• Why get it when I will end up with the flu anyways?

• The flu shot does more harm than good?

• I'm afraid of needles?

• Every time I get the shot I get sick, last year I did not and I did not get sick. 

• I'm totally healthy, I can fight it off.

 

KNOW YOUR FACTS

As the seasons change so does the types of diseases that surface and the Influenza is also the same.  Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During recent flu seasons, between 80% and 90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older. "Flu season" in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. During this time, flu viruses are circulating at higher levels in the U.S. population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.