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NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge is a month-long campaign to encourage educators to share fast facts with students, parents, and colleagues, about how to stay healthy. Check every Tuesday during the month of October for updates: Tip #2: Washing your hands will cut your risk of getting a respiratory illness by 21%. |
Did you know that, each year on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications?
While every flu season is different, influenza can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Even healthy people can get sick from the flu and spread it to others.
The best way to protect yourself from getting the flu is to get vaccinated each year. This season’s flu vaccine provides protection against the three main viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness this season — influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, and influenza B virus.
In our final tip for NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge, we highlight what you need to know about getting vaccinated for the flu.
- Who Should Get Vaccinated? The CDC recommends that the following groups/people get vaccinated.
- ALL individuals 6-months or older can and should get vaccinated!
- People who have a high risk of developing serious complication if they get sick with the flu
- People who have certain medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease)
- Women who are or will be pregnant during flu season
- People younger than 5 years old and people 65 years and older.
- People who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu (e.g., caregivers of those with certain medical conditions, of infants less than 6 months, and health care workers).
- When Should You Get Vaccinated? Flu vaccinations should start as soon as the vaccines become available. Peak flu season may begin as early as October and run through May, so the best time to get a flu shot is in September or October. But if you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, you should still do so since the flu virus can circulate through spring. Better late than never!
- What Kind of Flu Vaccines are Available?The two methods for vaccinating against the flu are the traditional flu shot (into the arm using a small needle) or nasal-spray. CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine over another.
- Where Can I Get Vaccinated? Flu vaccinations are offered in doctors’ offices, health clinics, places of employments, pharmacies, and more. CDC provides this Vaccine Locator to help you find vaccine locations in your area.
- Resources:
NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge was a month-long campaign to encourage educators to share fast facts with students, parents, and colleagues, about how to stay healthy. Thank you for checking in every Tuesday during the month of October for updates. For more flu-fighting information, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/school/.