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Flu Facts
-Why should I get vaccinated against the flu?
Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect everyone differently. During recent flu seasons, between 80%-90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years or older.
-How do flu vaccines work?
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about 2 weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
-Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?
A flu vaccine is needed every season for 2 reasons. First the body’s immune response from the vaccine declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.
-Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made 2 ways: the vaccine is made either with a (flu vaccine viruses that have been inactivated and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all.