It’s time for you to schedule an appointment and get your flu shot. Call us at 1-800-859-0085 to schedule an appointment, or use the Patient Portal: https://mycw26.eclinicalweb.com/portal2351/jsp/100mp/login.jsp
Do I really need a flu shot?
Yes! You may have received a COVID vaccination, but you still need a flu shot to protect you and your loved ones from influenza. As you probably know, the flu is a respiratory illness that affects your lungs, throat, and nose in a much more severe way than a common cold. Each year, tens of thousands of people die from the flu and flue complications—80,000 people died from the flu in 2017.
Flu myths and facts
Myth: The flu shot can give me the flu.
Fact: Wrong. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot. That’s because the vaccine is made from the killed virus or a “single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus).” [2]
That said, some people report not feeling well after getting the vaccine. Mild fever, soreness, aches, headaches, etc., can occur as your body mounts a response. But this IS NOT the flu.
Myth: I got a flu shot last season so I’m probably fine.
Fact: The flu virus changes over time. You need a flu shot every year to ensure you’re protected against newer strains of the virus.
Myth: Getting the flu is better than getting the vaccine.
Fact: As we stated above, 80,000 people last year got the flu. It’s a serious illness. A flu shot reduces the risk of developing the illness. Moreover, getting the flu shot helps protect your family, your friends, and your coworkers.
Myth: After a couple of days, I’m not contagious anymore.
Fact: You’re contagious longer than you might think. Take a look at the video below. It provides some great information in a fun and easy-to-understand way:
Keep tabs on the flu in my area
New York
The New York State Department of Health actually tracks flu activity in our state. This may be one of those websites you want to bookmark and check frequently during the cold and flu season: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/.
Nationwide
If you’re traveling, or want to know how bad the flu is elsewhere in the country, take a look at the Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm.