Protect Yourself and Your Family with a Flu Vaccination #NIVW2014

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy Policy.

*This post was brought to you by the CDC and The Motherhood. Some information has been supplied to me but all opinions are my own.*

When I worked outside the home in a corporate job, every year like clockwork I would get a flu shot. It was extra easy since my employer made it convenient. Each fall we’d have a health fair actually at work, and we could use our work time to not only get a flu shot, but also get other health screenings. When I left that job over five years ago, I thought it was no longer quite as simple to get a flu shot.  I’m no longer convinced that is true anymore.  Getting a flu shot doesn’t have to be so inconvenient these days. In just a single shopping trip last week, I saw two easy opportunities to get a flu shot.

Before I even got a block from my house, I passed a sign at Walgreens for flu shots available in store. They had a sign on two sides of their building and advertised them on their marquee sign. When I reached Target, my favorite shopping destination, this large sign greeted me at the door. From what I can see, it has never been more convenient for shoppers to get a flu shot and that is important!

Did you know that it is National Influenza Vaccination Week?

The CDC established National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. NIVW is scheduled for December 7-13, 2014 this year.

• Flu vaccination coverage estimates from past years have shown that influenza vaccination activity drops quickly after the end of November. CDC and its partners want to remind you that even though the holiday season has arrived, it is not too late to get your flu vaccine.
• As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can provide protection against the flu and should continue.
• Even unvaccinated people who have already gotten sick with one flu virus can still benefit from vaccination, since the flu vaccine protects against three or four different flu viruses (depending on which flu vaccine you receive) expected to circulate each season.
• Millions of doses of influenza vaccine have been administered to people safely for decades.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza disease, especially for those who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications. For people at high risk, getting the flu can mean developing serious flu-related complications, like pneumonia, or a worsening of existing health conditions, which can lead to hospitalization or death. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work due to flu, as well as prevent flu related hospitalizations and deaths.

Who is at High Risk?

People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and people age 65 years and older. See a full list of “People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications”.

Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

NIVW will act as a reminder to parents and caregivers of children about the importance of flu vaccination in general and the fact that some children younger than 9 years old may need two doses of flu vaccine this season to be fully protected.

• Children 6 months through 8 years old who are getting vaccinated for the first time will need two doses of vaccine.
• Some children in this age group who have received influenza vaccine previously will also need two doses of vaccine this season to be fully protected.
• Your child’s doctor or other health care professional can tell you if your child needs two doses.
• The Flu Guide for Parents provides detailed information for parents on the seriousness of flu illness in children, how to protect them, and how to care for children with flu illness.

Flu Vaccine Options

There are many choices available for flu vaccine, both in terms of where to get vaccinated and which vaccine to get.

• Flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available this season. In addition, flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines) also are available.
• Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, retail stores and pharmacies, and health centers, as well as by many employers and schools.
• The most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year, regardless of which vaccine option they choose. If you have questions about which vaccine is best for you, talk to your doctor or other health care professional.

More Flu Shot Facts

Despite the unpredictable nature of the flu, you should know:

• You need the 2014-2015 flu vaccine for optimal protection against the flu.
• Yearly vaccination is needed because:
  1. Flu viruses are always changing, and new vaccine is made each year so that the vaccine protects against the currently circulating influenza viruses; and
  2. Immune protection from vaccination declines over time, so vaccination is recommended every season for optimal protection.
• It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the immune system to build the antibodies the body needs to provide protection against the flu.
• Flu activity usually peaks between December and February in the United States and can last as late as May. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
• With flu activity starting to increase and family and friends gathering for the holidays, now is a great time to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones

Once vaccinated,  you can rest easier this holiday season! For more information on National Influenza Vaccination Week, visit the CDC.