The influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications.
The vaccine is made using a killed or weakened virus, so it cannot give you the flu.
The vaccine's effectiveness can vary from year to year, depending on how well the vaccine matches the circulating virus strains.
The vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk of complications from the flu, such as young children, elderly adults, and people with certain medical conditions.
The vaccine is safe and side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever.
The vaccine can also help reduce the spread of the flu in the community by creating herd immunity.
The influenza vaccine can also help protect against heart attacks and strokes.
The vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization for people with diabetes.
A high-dose version of the vaccine is available for adults aged 65 and older, which can improve its effectiveness.
The vaccine can be given to people with egg allergies, using a special formulation that does not contain egg proteins.
The vaccine can also help protect against other respiratory viruses that circulate during flu season.
Children who get the vaccine are less likely to require antibiotics for respiratory infections.
The vaccine is the best defense against pandemic flu, which can be much more severe than regular seasonal flu.
Getting vaccinated against the flu can help protect your mental health, as studies have shown a link between flu infections and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.