The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body and the antibodies provide protection against the influenza viruses.

Flu vaccine can:

– Prevent individuals from getting the flu
– Make the flu less severe
– Keep individuals from spreading the flu to family, friends, and other people in the community

Flu shots do not contain a live virus and they cannot cause the flu. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against influenza viruses. Each year research is conducted to determine the vaccine makeup that will provide protection against influenza viruses for the upcoming flu season. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after a flu vaccination and protection lasts through the flu season. Even if the vaccine doesn’t exactly match the viruses in circulation it still provides some protection.

Why annual vaccination is important

1. Immune protection decreases over time
2. The vaccine formula is updated yearly based on circulating flu strains and the prior season’s effectiveness

For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older, who is an approved candidate, should get vaccinated annually.

Resources:   Influenza Vaccine Information Statement   |   www.cdc.gov/flu