Get your Flu Shot at Inspired Health Group

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is an effective way to help protect against flu. Inspired Health Group patients can schedule a flu shot appointment by calling our office.  

If you get your flu shot somewhere else, call Inspired Health Group and let us know! Your healthcare provider needs to know when and where you received the influenza vaccine.  If you have it, please provide written proof of your flu vaccination at your next IHG visit, so we can update your records. Keeping your health records up to date is an important aspect of your healthcare plan!

What is Influenza: 

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Commonly called the flu, influenza is not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

The flu resolves on its own for most people.  However for some, influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include:

• Young children under age 5
• Adults older than age 65
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth
• People with weakened immune systems
• Native Americans
• People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes
• People who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

Why get a flu vaccine?

Millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.   Every flu season is different and it affects people in different ways.  Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is an effective way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children. While some people who get a flu vaccine may still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness.

Benefits of Flu Vaccination:

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu
• Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick
• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization
• Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with certain chronic health conditions.
• Flu vaccination helps protect pregnant people during and after pregnancy
• Flu vaccine can be lifesaving in children
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

Timing of Vaccination

For most persons who need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, vaccination should ideally be offered during September or October. However, vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as influenza viruses are circulating.

Vaccination during July and August is not recommended for most groups. Timing considerations include:

• For most adults (particularly those aged ≥65 years) and pregnant persons in the first or second trimester, vaccination during July and August should be avoided unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible.
• Children 6 months through 8 years who require 2 doses should receive the first dose as soon as vaccine is available.
• Vaccination during July and August can be considered for children of any age who require only 1 dose.
• Vaccination in July and August can be considered for pregnant persons who are in the third trimester during these months.

Learn more about vaccination timing from the CDC

Learn More about Flu Vaccination:

Sources: The Mayo Clinic
Sources: The CDC