Flu Shot-More Important Than Ever?

Flu season is here, and this year's may be unprecedented. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health care experts are sounding the alarm on the importance of protecting against the flu.

When it comes to the flu, there's no better way to defend yourself, your family, and your community than by making sure you receive a flu shot. All it takes is a quick trip to your doctor's office.

Benefits of the Flu Shot

According to published reports from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, these are some of the ways that the flu shot could help you this year:

Keep you healthy. The flu shot has helped prevent:

• 4.4 million illnesses
• 2.3 million medical visits
• 58,000 hospitalizations
• 3,500 deaths

In a story from the NY Times, you can lessen the impact of Covid 19:

 Becoming sick with the flu can leave you vulnerable to a more serious case of COVID-19, leading to a potential overburdening of national health care systems

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention goes on to say the flu vaccine can reduce hospitalizations for people with diabetes and chronic lung conditions and help lower the rate of cardiac events. Receiving a flu shot can help decrease your risk of becoming ill with the flu by as much as 60% and can help reduce the severity of the virus if you do become ill.

Another great reason? Protect the people around you. That includes those who are at a higher risk for illness, such as babies, young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions.