Remember how terrible the 2009 swine flu season was? The number of flu cases this season has been comparable, and United States public health officials are convinced it is not over yet. If media coverage of this year’s particularly severe flu season has you worried about catching the virus, one major step you can take to protect yourself (if you haven’t already) is to get your flu shot!
For various reasons, including busy schedules, people may miss getting their fall-time flu shot. However, it’s NOT too late to get your flu shot, even if we are in the heart of flu season.
It’s NOT Too Late To Get Flu Shot
Who should get the flu shot?
Unless there is a specific indication why someone should not get a flu shot, everyone six months of age and older should get a flu shot to protect themselves and others around them from the potentially deadly virus. As a child’s advocate, parents need to make sure children are receiving the vaccine as well to prevent flu and other complications. Ask your healthcare provider if you are a candidate to get the flu shot to protect yourself and others from the flu.
But isn’t flu season almost over?
Flu season peaks from December to February, but it can last until May, according to the CDC. If someone hasn’t been infected yet, it is still possible as the circulating influenza A (H3N2) strain will likely continue to circulate for the next few months. Therefore, getting the vaccine may help prevent future infections and serious complications. It’s not too late!
Ideally, everyone would be vaccinated early in the flu season, around the end of October. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to be maximally effective, so by vaccinating early it protects before the flu season hits! If you missed your early season flu shot, again, it is not too late!
How does the flu shot work?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tries to predict which flu strains will be the most prevalent. They then collaborate with vaccine manufacturers to produce the specific vaccine that will combat the predicted strains for the year’s upcoming flu season. There are many different flu viruses which are constantly evolving, so the flu vaccine is not able to offer complete protection from all types of flu. Even so, it is still better to get vaccinated than remain at risk for all strains of the flu virus.
Where to get the flu shot?
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet and you’re finally convinced that it’s time, you can stop in at any of our urgent care locations in Omaha & Bellevue, NE without an appointment.
Our Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics in Omaha, Bennington, West Omaha, Rockbrook, Crossroads & Bellevue, NE
Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:
- Rockbrook Urgent Care
- Crossroads Urgent Care
- Bellevue Urgent Care
- West Omaha Urgent Care
- Bennington Urgent Care
Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.
