Understand The Flu Vaccine 2022
Every year the influenza or flu vaccine is made available to help protect you and your loved ones from contacting the flu or influenza virus.
The flu vaccine can offer some protection from contacting the flu but does not fully protect you from catching it. The flu vaccine is available to most people under the age of 65 years. In certain instances, certain groups of people are cautioned from getting the flu vaccine and that decision is made by your medical practitioner.
The group or people include:
- Children 6 months and younger
- people who have experienced a very bad reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients
- those with egg or mercury allergies
Vaccination Process
Should you wish to get yourself and family vaccinated, you may do so at selected Alpha Pharm Pharmacies in your community by making use of our Pharmacy Locator
The pharmacist or Alpha Clin clinic nursing sister will discuss the vaccine, different types of flu vaccines and what the benefits of getting the vaccine are. This is done to ensure you understand the benefits of the vaccine and as to what level of protection you would have.
Some benefits include:
Flu Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “receiving the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent yourself from becoming sick with the flu.”
Feeling less sick
“It’s still possible to get the flu after vaccination. If you do get sick with the flu, your symptoms may be milder if you got the vaccination.”
Post Vaccination
Once you have gotten the vaccination, you may experience some pain at the vaccination site and may also experience some flu like symptoms – this varies from person to person. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start working and there is a chance you may still get the flu within this period.
It is also encouraged that in conjunction to the flu vaccine, vitamins and immune boosters offer an additional layer of protection against seasonal flu. You should consult with your Alpha Pharm pharmacist during the vaccination process as to which vitamins and immune boosters you and your family should be taking.