If you’ve been to your local medical center recently, your doctor may have recommended getting the flu vaccine. Whether you’ve had this vaccination before or are contemplating it for the first time, this treatment can help combat the seasonal flu virus. Consider the following three facts when determining if you should get the shot.

What to Know About the Flu Vaccine

1. Flu Season Runs October Through May

This seasonal virus can start as early as October and last as long as May, but it typically peaks between December and February. To ensure you’re protected from this illness, talk to a doctor at your medical center about getting the vaccination before peak season occurs, ideally during the last few weeks of October.

2. There Are Different Varieties of the Flu Vaccine

Depending on your age or possible allergens, your doctor may recommend a particular variety of flu vaccine. For healthy adolescents and adults, the vaccination will typically be administered through a shot in the arm. However, once a child is over six months of age, they can receive a form of the vaccination that is given as a nasal spray. While the vaccination is grown using egg proteins, individuals with this type of allergy can typically receive the vaccination as long as it is given by a health care professional in a medical center.

3. Vaccinations Are Updated Annually

Different flu strains can develop every year. By receiving a vaccine annually, you help build up your body’s immune system to the flu, in addition to being protected in the event the virus has mutated and a different strain is impacting your community.  

For a wide variety of health care services all under one roof, visit Peninsula Community Health Services in Soldotna, AK. This medical center provides a number of helpful services to monitor your health, from offering seasonal flu vaccines to routine dental care. To learn more about how they can keep you healthy, visit them online or call (907) 262-3119.