Why You Need to Get Vaccinated For the Flu Every Year

Are you searching “Where to get the flu shot near me?” on your phone? If you want to get a shot before the flu season starts up this year, you have found the right place! Our team at the BASS Primary Care would love to help you stay happy and healthy this flu season.

You need to get vaccinated every year for the flu, but do you know why? Read on to learn why you should get the flu shot.

Why Get a Flu Shot in 2020

Many medical centers are under a large strain from the coronavirus pandemic. By getting a flu shot, you might be able to prevent a trip to the doctor’s office during flu season, making it easier for health care workers to focus on their patients with COVID.

The flu can be serious and every season it is different. Vaccines have many benefits, including reducing your chances of becoming so sick from the flu that you need to be hospitalized. It also:

• Makes it less likely you will get someone else sick
• Saves resources for health care workers dealing with COVID-19
• Is your best protection against getting sick

How Does the Flu Shot Work?

The flu vaccine contains antibodies that cause your body to start producing more antibodies, which protects you from the flu. Because the flu virus changes every season, the seasonal flu vaccine is updated yearly. It also includes antibodies for a few different flu virus strains. Scientists hope that the current vaccine protects against the versions of the flu virus that are expected to spread this year.

Because the seasonal flu vaccine is different every year, the shot you got last year is no longer effective. The flu virus changes so quickly that it is important to get a flu shot every year.

When Should You Get Vaccinated?

It is best to get your shot before the virus starts to spread in your area. It usually takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective in your body, so you will need to get it a bit earlier than you might think.

Many health care specialists recommend that you get your shot in the month of October. There is no way to know when the flu is going to come to your area, but being prepared before the spike that usually occurs in December is ideal.

Why Do You Need a Flu Shot Yearly?

You need the flu shot yearly for a few reasons. One, your immune system response from previous vaccines declines as time passes. Yearly shots can help keep your immune system strong. Two, the flu virus is constantly changing and mutating. Flu vaccines are updated every season, so you want to be sure that you get the latest vaccine.

If you want the best protection, you should get the flu vaccine yearly after age 6 months old. Keep this in mind if you have any kids at home, as they might also need to update their flu shots this year.

Where to Get a Flu Shot

Do you need information on where to get a flu shot? Call BASS Primary Care at (925) 962-9120 to get more information on flu shots near you. We can schedule an appointment and get you in before the next flu season starts! If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them for you.

If you are experiencing symptoms of the flu, we can help you with that as well. Our team is full of specialists who will do everything that they can to treat you can get you feeling better.