The fall and winter are known as flu season in the United States, with the worst period typically occurring between December and February. Before the peak of flu season hits, you should go to your local pharmacy for a flu shot. Here are a few of the most common questions people have about this routine treatment.

What You Should Know About Flu Vaccinations

What is the flu?

The flu is short for influenza, a viral infection. There are multiple strains of the influenza virus, and they often mutate from year to year. The most common symptoms are respiratory issues, such as coughing, sore throat, and congestion; fever; headaches; and fatigue. It can also sometimes cause stomach issues.

While most healthy adults are not at risk of serious complications from the flu, it can be dangerous for children, seniors, and those with other health problems. About 12,000 to 61,000 people die of influenza in the U.S. each year.

What does the flu vaccine do?

The annual flu vaccine significantly reduces your chances of getting influenza that year. It introduces your body to the compounds found in the virus so that your body can develop defenses against it in advance.

Each year’s vaccine is tailored to focus on the flu strains most likely to spread that year. It will help you stay healthy and prevent an illness that could interfere with work, school, and other activities. Despite popular misconceptions, the flu shot cannot give you the flu.

Do I need the flu vaccine?

The CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible to get a flu vaccine does so every year. It’s especially important if you’re in a high-risk group due to age or health or if you come into contact with others who are in high-risk groups or can’t be vaccinated due to health problems.

The flu vaccine is also especially important this year due to the spread of COVID-19. While the flu vaccine will not prevent a coronavirus infection, it will help you avoid needing medical care during a time when providers are already operating at capacity.

When should I get it?

The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks after treatment to become effective, so you should visit your pharmacy as close to the beginning of flu season as you can. This will give your body time to adjust. If you don’t get the vaccine early, you can still get it at any time during flu season to protect you throughout the remainder of the cold months.

For this year’s flu shot, visit Professional Pharmacy in Dalton, GA. This locally owned and operated company has over 50 years of experience providing Whitfield County with prescription refills, first aid supplies, and other medical necessities. They’re also a compounding pharmacy, allowing the staff to provide customized medications to order. For questions about this year’s vaccination, call them at (706) 278-2490. If you need to fill a prescription, you can conveniently do so online.