This year, we’ve heard more than ever before about the need for vaccinations. With COVID-19 still a threat, vaccination remains our best protection against the deadly coronavirus. We also can’t forget about flu season and how important it is to get an annual flu shot to help protect against serious illness from the flu virus.
Flu shots are recommended for nearly everyone over 6 months of age. Pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions especially should get vaccinated against the flu.
We’re offering two opportunities to get your flu shot this year:
- 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the O’Laughlin Center in Spearman
- 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vault in Gruver
No appointment is necessary. Just walk-in! If you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage health insurance, the flu shot is free, but please bring your insurance card. Cost is $35 for everyone else.
Important facts to know about the annual flu shot:
- The COVID-19 vaccines are different from the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine cannot protect you from COVID-19, and the COVID-19 vaccine cannot protect you from the flu. You need both!
- To maximize your protection, get a flu shot before the end of October. But, a flu shot is useful even if you miss that timeline.
- Flu vaccines cannot give you the flu.
- A flu shot is needed each year because the flu virus mutates, or changes.
- It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop to protect you from the flu.
- Flu vaccines are safe and effective. An annual flu shot typically reduces the risk of getting sick with the flu by between 40% and 60%.
More information on the flu shot is available from GetMyFluShot.org.