Even if you’re a healthy individual, it’s important to get your flu shot every year. The family medicine experts at Bland County Medical Clinic in Bastian, VA, won’t just be happy to offer it—they’ll also be happy to explain why it’s necessary. Specifically, the primary care team at this clinic recommends keeping the following points in mind.

Family Medicine Professionals Offer 5 Reasons to Get the Flu Shot Every Year

1. The Virus Mutates

The flu isn’t like many other illnesses you might get vaccinated for. If you got your shot last year, that doesn’t mean you’re protected this year. The virus mutates annually, so you need to protect yourself from the new strain.

2. You Could Pass It to Others

With every new flu strain, there will be some people who carry the virus without displaying any symptoms. They go to work, spend time with their loved ones, and engage in other behaviors that may spread the virus to others. Don’t risk getting your family or friends sick because you didn’t know you had the flu.

3. It Won’t Make You Sick

Some people mistakenly believe that getting the flu shot carries the risk of getting sick. In reality, the form of the virus in the shot does not possess the ability to infect you.

4. Sometimes the Shot Doesn’t Take

Don’t assume you’ll be safe if everyone else around you got the flu shot. Sometimes, it’s not effective. You need to protect yourself in case this happens to someone else.

5. It Can Infect Anyone

Anyone can get the flu. While it is often more harmful in children and the elderly, even healthy adults can get infected.

These are merely a few reasons the family medicine experts at Bland County Medical Clinic, in Bastian, VA, recommend getting your shot every year. If you haven’t yet, contact their primary care team and make an appointment. They also offer pediatric services if your child needs their shot too. Visit them online for more information, or call (276) 688-4331.