Vaccines
Jan 29, 2024
It’s Not Too Late for Your Flu Shot!
The signs for flu shots went up before summer was over last year. But the new year doesn’t mean the end of flu season. Even if you’ve managed to avoid the flu so far, don’t take any chances! A case of the flu can easily turn into pneumonia or another serious health issue.
Because it’s still flu season, we’d like to remind you of some important flu facts:
- The flu is dangerous for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 70 to 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths in the U.S. in recent years occurred among people 65 years and older.
- The flu can make other health problems worse. Even if well managed, chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and chronic heart disease increase your risk of developing serious flu complications.
- Flu shots work. A yearly flu shot is proven to be the best defense against getting sick with the flu or being hospitalized. And even though there’s a small chance a person may still get sick after having the shot, research shows it’s almost always a relatively mild case.
- Getting a flu shot is easy. As a SCAN member, get your flu shot at no cost from your doctor’s office or at the local pharmacy.
If you had a flu shot in or after August 2023, way to go! You’re protected for this flu season.
Haven’t had your shot for this season yet? Don’t put it off any longer. It takes about two weeks for full protection, so the sooner you get the shot, the sooner you’ll be protected when the flu comes knocking.
