It’s Time for Annual Flu Shots

Flu season begins in early October, so it’s time for yearly flu shots. If you’re caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia, don’t forget he or she will need a shot, as well.

Why Get Vaccinated?

Believe it or not, people still die from the flu, especially those who are age 65 and over. And as a caregiver, you’re putting both you and your loved one at risk if you don’t get vaccinated yourself.

Why You Can’t Get Sick From a Flu Shot

It’s hard to believe this myth still exists after all these years, but it seems like everyone has a story about how they got a flu shot, then got the flu the next day. It doesn’t work that way. First of all, you can’t get sick from a flu shot because it’s made from a virus that’s been “inactivated,” which means it can’t transmit infection.

Secondly, it takes a few days for flu symptoms to start after you’ve caught the virus. So if you get the flu the day after your shot, you already had it before you were vaccinated. Also, it can take up two two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective. So if you get the flu within two weeks of getting your flu shot, you weren’t yet fully protected. So you would have gotten sick without the shot.

Is it Too Early in the Season (or Too Late) for a Flu Shot?

If you’re thinking it may be a bit early for flu shots, you might be surprised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it’s okay to get a flu shot as soon as the vaccine comes out. It’s best to get it by the end of October. But flu season last throughout most of the winter, so if you accidentally miss the October deadline, go ahead and get one anyway.

Call Your Doctor Today

Your doctor’s office is a good place to get your flu shot. But if you’re in a rush, there are lots of places in the Kansas City area (e.g., Walgreen’s, CVS) where you can just drop in and get one.