Get Protection for the Upcoming Flu Season
Wheaton, MD Flu Shots at Accessnow Urgent Care
Why Get a Flu Shot?
Flu shots are a great way to protect yourself against flu strains that are likely to be prevalent this year. They only take a few seconds to administer, and they can keep you and your family from missing school or work due to illness – not to mention, they protect against some of the more dangerous side effects of the flu.
Who Should Be Vaccinated
Who should get a flu shot:
- All healthy adults, especially those 65 years of age and older.
- Pregnant women.
- Healthcare workers.
- People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.
- Caregivers of children under 5 years old.
Who should not get a flu shot
- Infants younger than 6 months of age.
- Anyone with an egg allergy.
- Anyone who has had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
- Anyone who currently has a moderate or severe illness or fever.
Why a Flu Vaccination is Important
By getting vaccinated against the flu, you not only help protect your own health, but you protect those who are unable to receive the vaccine.
Community immunity – or, “herd immunity”– helps everyone by ensuring that a large portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease.
Flu shot benefits:
- Can keep you from getting sick with the flu.
- Reduces the risk of hospitalization or death due to flu, especially for senior citizens and young children.
- Helps protect women during and after pregnancy, and may even reduce the risk of flu for the baby for up to four months after birth.**
- Could make flu symptoms milder if you do contract an influenza strain not included in the shot.
- Decreases the chances the flu will spread, which protects people who cannot get vaccinated.
- New vaccines are developed every year to protect against the flu.
Advantages of early vaccination:
- Ensures that you are prepared in advance for flu season, which can sometimes start in October.
- Will give your body time to become fully immune, since it takes about two weeks for antibodies to completely develop after receiving the vaccine.
Why a Yearly Vaccine
Flu viruses are always changing, and different ones will be more prevalent from year to year.
Because of the likelihood of virus change – called “antigenic drift” – new vaccines are developed every year to protect against the predicted viruses that will possibly spread during the upcoming flu season.
Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about how viruses are selected for the flu vaccine.
*Ages 4 and older. While supplies last. Some restrictions apply.
Stop in Any Time
We know you’re busy, and penciling in time for a flu shot isn’t always easy. Accessnow Urgent Care is stocked up with flu vaccines and is ready to serve your family whenever you’re ready. Either book an appointment, or just stop in whenever it’s convenient. Just like our urgent care services, you can walk in any time to get your flu shots.