by Faith Abraham
It’s that time of year again — flu season.
December 1-7, 2019, is this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (or NIVW). NIVW highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. NIVW serves as a reminder that even though the holiday season has arrived, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.
As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season in order to protect as many people as possible against flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine!
Flu vaccination can reduce your risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Even if you are vaccinated and still get sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of your illness. Flu vaccination also can help protect women during and after pregnancy and protect the baby born to a vaccinated mom for several months after birth. It also has been shown to save children’s lives, prevent serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevent flu-related hospitalization among working age adults and older adults. Getting vaccinated isn’t just about keeping you healthy; it’s also about helping to protect others around you who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults, and pregnant women.
It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season! Find a place near you to get a flu vaccine with the HealthMap Vaccine Finder (https://vaccinefinder.org/external icon).
Compiled with resources from cdc.gov.
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