It’s likely that the flu and COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. We know that hospitals could be overwhelmed treating patients for both illnesses. This means getting a flu vaccine this flu season is more important than ever.
How to Get the Flu Vaccine
At Baystate Health, all current Baystate Medical Practices patients will be offered flu shots. To schedule your flu vaccine, call your primary care provider's office.
We offer primary care services across the Pioneer Valley.
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What are the Benefits of Getting a Flu Vaccine?
There are many important benefits of getting the flu vaccine, including:
-
Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
- Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for patients with other life threatening illnesses.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?
All healthy adults and children over 6 months old should get the flu vaccine.
Especially:
- People age 65 and older
- Children 6 months and older
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
- People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems
- Caregivers of children under 5 years old
- People who have had COVID-19
The best time to get the flu vaccine is during September or October.
Who should not get a flu vaccine?
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Infants younger than 6 months of age
- Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Anyone who has had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
- Anyone who currently has a moderate or severe illness or fever
6 Ways to Protect Your Health and the Health of Others
- Get a flu shot. It's the single best way to protect against the flu.
- Do the arm cough. Cough or sneeze into your arm or use a tissue. Throw out the tissue after you use it, and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. That's how germs spread.
- Avoid crowds. Germs spread easily in crowds.
- Stay home. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. This means until your fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicine.