Seasonal Disease Prevention: It's Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

The flu season officially starts in October and lasts through February, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that flu season can even extend until late spring. Getting your flu shot in October gives you protection against the flu early on in the season. But if you didn’t get your shot this year, it’s not too late to get your flu shot here at Dr. Bamba's Health and Medical Center. 

Read on as Dr. N'Dama Bamba, MD, MPH, highlights the importance of seasonal disease prevention and why now is the opportune moment to roll up your sleeves and safeguard yourself against the flu.

Annual flu vaccination is important because:

Flu cases are rising 

December is mid-way through the flu season, but the virus is still active as ever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track flu cases via the Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. As of this writing, there has been a 4% increase in flu cases recently. Your flu shot can help you avoid adding to that statistic. 

Your flu shot is an effective way to protect yourself and your family

Getting a flu shot remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from the virus. The flu vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. While it can help you avoid getting sick, it also provides a defense mechanism that helps reduce the severity of symptoms if you get infected.

Out of all people hospitalized due to influenza complications, those vaccinated were 26% less likely to be admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU).

You protect your community

In addition to shielding yourself from illness, getting a flu shot contributes to community health by reducing the overall spread of the virus. By creating a collective immunity within the population, the impact of the flu on vulnerable individuals 一 the elderly, babies too young to get vaccinated, and those with compromised immune systems 一 is mitigated.

It’s quick and easy

Another reason to schedule your flu shot is that it’s quick and easy. Getting a flu shot takes just a few minutes. When you visit our Glen Burnie, Maryland, office, you can expect:

• A quick check-in with any necessary paperwork
• Consultation and exam (if you bundled your shot with a wellness exam) 
• Cleansing of the injection site
• Injection 
• Confirmation and documentation of your vaccination 

Protecting yourself from the flu is really that easy!

You won’t get the flu from your vaccine

Despite the common misconception, you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. Mild side effects, such as injection site soreness or headache, are mild and dissipate quickly. 

Your flu shot complements other prevention strategies

In addition to your flu shot, you can take seasonal disease prevention to the next level to help reduce your risk of contracting other seasonal diseases, such as the common cold, strep throat, and COVID-19. Prevention strategies include: 

• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Eating nutrient-dense diet
• Sleeping well
• Exercising 
• Avoiding those who are sick (or were recently exposed to illnesses) 

Despite these prevention strategies, avoiding the flu is impossible with 100% certainty. If you or your child are feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our on-site laboratory tests can confirm if your symptoms are related to the flu, COVID-19, strep throat, or another infectious disease.

Say “yes” to seasonal disease prevention

If you and your family are ready to schedule your flu shot, call us at 443-493-7760. You can also click here to schedule an appointment in Glen Burnie, Maryland.