Emmaus: Flu Shot Information

Press release from East Penn School District:

Oct. 1, 2020

Who should get vaccinated this season?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications has a full list of age and health factors that confer increased risk.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people.

• There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months old and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older.
• Flu shots also are recommended and approved for use in pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals who are 2 years through 49 years of age. People with some certain medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

There are many vaccine options to choose from. CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine over another. The most important thing is for all people 6 months of age and older to get a flu vaccine every year.

If you have questions about which flu vaccine to get, talk to your doctor or other health care professional. More information is available at Who Should Get Vaccinated.

More information is available at Who Should Get Vaccinated.

When should I get vaccinated?

You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated early (for example, in July or August) is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults. Vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

*Center for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm,

Where can I get a free flu shot?

LVHN Annual Community Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Campaign-Free Flu Shots

Saturday, November 7, 20209 AM to 3 PMDorney Park, Allentown, Pa.

*Sign-up required (Link to register will be posted soon)

Sunday, November 8, 20209 AM to 3 PMHome of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, Pa.

*Sign-up required (Link to register will be posted soon)

This press release was produced by the East Penn School District.The views expressed here are the author’s own.