It’s that time of year. The school year is underway, days have become cooler and flu season has begun. While scheduling time to receive your flu shot may seem like one more task to complete during a busy time of year, local healthcare providers emphasize the benefits of receiving the vaccination.
“We know that this time of year in particular, families are busy with activities,” said Dr. Benjamin Widener, a Sheridan Memorial Hospital rheumatologist. “But being sick takes away far more time from all of those activities than the time it takes to schedule and get your flu vaccinations.”
The flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor visits each year. Multiple studies have also shown the flu vaccination can reduce the severity of illness for those who have been vaccinated but still get sick. This means the vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalizations as well.
“When considering whether the flu shot is right for you or your family, one consideration is also those with whom you spend your time,” Dr. Widener said. “If you spend a lot of time with individuals at high risk for severe cases of the flu, like grandparents or pregnant family members, a vaccination can help not only protect you, but those you love.”
The flu vaccination is an important preventative tool for people with certain health conditions such as those with heart disease, chronic lung disease or diabetes. Flu vaccinations can also protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancies and protect their infants from flu in the first few months of life.
Flu shots are available at any Sheridan Memorial Hospital clinic including Internal Medicine, Primary Care and Urgent Care, as well as at most local pharmacies and Sheridan County Public Health. Most insurance plans cover the cost of vaccinations, so flu vaccinations can often be received without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital and its clinics will also offer COVID vaccinations as they become available.
To schedule your flu vaccination with a Sheridan Memorial Hospital clinic, call your provider or ask for the vaccination at your next scheduled appointment.