Category: Cooperative Extension
Only you can help fight the flu!
October 09, 2023 Written by Alexa Matthias and Sarah Goldring, Extension Agent
The influenza virus (flu) is a contagious virus that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs. Symptoms come on suddenly, ranging from mild to severe. These can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, tiredness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Getting vaccinated against the flu is a reliable way to protect both your own health and the health of your community.
Flu shots are administered once annually, and the process can be completed in just a few minutes. The CDC recommends the flu vaccine to everyone six months and older, with exceptions only in extreme cases. The best time to get your flu vaccine is around September and October, which maximizes your protection against the flu. Here's what you need to know...
Vaccines are safe.
The flu vaccine has been available for over 50 years. Flu vaccines are reviewed each year to provide the best protection for the flu season. Flu vaccines not only help protect you from getting sick, but they also decrease your risk of needing medical attention from the flu by 20%. This year, the flu vaccine is being offered via a flu shot or a nasal spray.
Vaccines can have mild side effects.
Side effects do not always happen for everyone. However, they can include soreness or swelling near the area of the vaccine, low-grade headache, fever, or fatigue.
Being vaccinated can protect your community.
Getting vaccinated can help to stop the spread of the virus within your community. Even if you fully recover from the flu, allowing yourself to be a host for this virus keeps it within your community so that other people may contract the virus from you. Choosing to vaccinate yourself can be beneficial to not only yourself but your community.
It's easy to find a location.
If you live in Delaware, you can find the flu vaccine at doctor's offices, pharmacies, Delaware Division of Public Health clinics, urgent care clinics, health centers, or some schools and employers may offer vaccines on-site. To find specific places, you can visit the Flu Vaccine Tracker at flu.delaware.gov
For more information on the flu and the flu vaccine, please visit flu.delaware.gov.