The flu season is already on its way, and we all have to do our part in order to be prepared for it. Washing your hands, avoiding sick individuals and staying home when you are sick yourself are all important things to prioritize at this time of year.

Getting your flu shot should also be a priority! An annual flu shot can protect you from the season’s most virulent strains.

Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Cleveland for a quick flu shot to be better protected from influenza all season.

Is the Flu Shot the Same Year to Year?

It is similar, but it is not completely the same. The flu shot is reformulated every year based on data and projections about which strains will be the most widespread during the season. There are nine different versions of the flu vaccine this year, including some high-dose versions for the older adults in our community.

The flu shot is historically up to 60% effective at preventing the flu entirely, and this year’s shot is already proving to be just as successful. We recommend getting your flu shot early in the season, sometime in September or October. This is due to the fact that the vaccine needs about two weeks in your body to help develop those necessary antibodies that will keep you healthy.

Top Flu Symptoms for 2023

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Body aches
• Cough

Does the Flu Shot Give You the Flu?

This is the most widely accepted myth surrounding the flu shot, and it is simply not true. The flu vaccine contains deactivated flu virus, so the shot cannot make you sick from influenza. The deactivated virus simply kickstarts an immune response in your body to create antibodies that can fight the real thing later in the season.

Those antibodies can help you avoid illness entirely, but they can also minimize and control your symptoms if you do experience a breakthrough infection. In any case, protection against the flu in any form is always recommended and helpful!

Why You Should Get a Flu Shot

• It reduces serious respiratory illness.
• It is updated every year for the best protection.
• It could save your life.
• It protects your family from exposure.

If you are wondering if your recent illness is the flu, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Cleveland.