Just because you never get sick doesn’t mean you’re invincible from getting the flu.
A serious misconception is that the flu shot is only for children and older adults. However, Veterans under 50 also need it.
As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the immunization for anyone six months and older.
Veterans need to get the shot to protect not only themselves, but also their loved ones. If you’re under 50, don’t be one of the many Americans who fail to get a shot. Protect yourself, your aging parents, your small children, your friends and your neighbors.
Basic flu-prevention tips
You may feel like you’re old enough to know how to avoid flu and young enough to fight it, but as many as 647,000 people were hospitalized last year. Getting vaccinated is crucial. Follow the tips below to help keep yourself healthy:
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Keep hands clean – wash frequently.
- Stay home and avoid others when sick.
- Seek antiviral treatment (Tamiflu, among other options) right away if you think you have flu.
- Promote vaccination and prevention strategies to others around you at home and work.
Keep in mind
Each year, flu causes serious illness and even death. Talk to your doctor at your next appointment or sign in to send a message to your health care team via secure messaging to learn more about the immunization. Getting your vaccine is safe and well tolerated, with millions receiving it each year. It takes two weeks for your flu shot to protect you, so get your shot now.
VA and Walgreens can help
Finding a place to get your vaccine is easier than you think. Veterans who receive VA health care can get one at a nearby VA health care facility. Veterans can also receive their shot at Walgreens, and the information automatically will be added to your VA health records.
Learn more about VA’s partnership with Walgreens. If you have non-VA health care providers, you can learn where to get your immunization from the CDC’s Flu Vaccine Finder.
This article is courtesy My HealtheVet.
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Walgreens did well with giving me the Flu shot. Under 20 minutes and it was done. Trying to get the same thing from CVS was a chore even with their Minute Clinics, and in the end didn’t do it because you need a separate health plan.
If you are a veteran and only have Medicare Part A, Walgreens will not provide a free flu shot. Don’t know why but they just said, “you need to go to your VA Medical Center, for the shot.”
This is absolutely important. Most people under 50 think they are invincible but the truth of the matter is that anyone can get sick. Let’s all learn to take good care of our health right from an early age.