Why Get a Flu Vaccine

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The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine as the "first and most important action" in fighting the flu.

Flu Shot Vaccine Helps Even If You Get the Flu

If you get the flu after getting an immunization, the CDC says, the flu vaccine:

• Has been shown to reduce the severity of illness
• Can help decrease the duration of the illness
• Can help reduce the risk of serious complications in individuals who have chronic health conditions.

It is particularly important for people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications to get an immunization. The CDC identifies people at higher risk to include:

• young children
• pregnant people
• people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease
• people 65 years old and older

Prevention

While getting a flu vaccine is your best protection, there are other ways to help prevent getting and/or spreading the flu. The Mayo Clinic recommends:

• Avoiding crowds and close contact with people who are sick.
• Covering coughs and sneezes. • Washing your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cleaning often-touched surfaces.

Treatment

About 20 million to 40 million people in the U.S. get the flu each season, with the highest number of cases typically occurring between December and February, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

While many people treat the flu without going to the doctor and getting prescription medicine, doctors can prescribe antiviral medications under certain circumstances. Antivirals can reduce the risk of severe illness and reduce the duration of the illness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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