What Are the Benefits of a Yearly Flu Shot?

December 1, 2022

Getting a flu shot at the start of every flu season is recommended for all eligible people 6 months and older. It can prevent you from getting sick altogether and it can keep you from getting seriously sick if you do end up coming down with influenza.

We are so pleased to offer the flu vaccine to our community! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne can provide you with protection from the flu today. Check out our blog all about the reasons you should get vaccinated this year below.

Is the Flu Inside the Flu Shot?

The typical flu vaccine has deactivated influenza virus in it that stimulates an antibody response in your immune system. They are not live viruses, so getting the flu shot cannot give you the flu. It is possible, however, to get the flu while you are waiting about two weeks for the flu vaccine to take full effect.

If you choose the nasal spray version of the vaccine instead, you will get a weakened version of the virus. The spray cannot give you the flu either, but you may experience side effects that are similar to the flu like a runny nose or sore throat.

Yearly Flu Shot Benefits

It reduces your risk of death due to the flu.
It can reduce the number of days you are sick if you do get the flu.
The shot changes each year to tailor to the most common strain.
The shot helps with herd immunity.

What Are the Complications of the Flu?

If you don’t get vaccinated, you run the risk of getting seriously sick from the virus. The flu virus can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the heart, brain or muscle tissues. It can also lead to multi-organ failure or sepsis.

While you may just experience mild symptoms or be uncomfortable for a few days, other people or your more high-risk family members could experience those severe symptoms. Get vaccinated this year to protect them as well as yourself!