Time for Your Flu Shot!
The flu poses a potential risk for everyone, regardless of age. People 65 and older are at higher risk of flu-related complications, but those who are young and healthy can get very sick with the flu too. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccination every year. The flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications. Getting vaccinated will also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies, people 65 years of age and older, people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and people with compromised immune systems. It is also important to protect people more likely to be exposed to both COVID-19 and flu, including health care workers and those who interact frequently with the public.
Flu vaccination is especially important for people from racial and ethnic minority groups, who are often less likely to be vaccinated against flu and more likely to be hospitalized with flu. People of color may be at higher risk for getting flu or developing serious illness resulting in hospitalization due to a range of barriers many of which are rooted in a historic legacy of abuse and mistreatment by the medical system and ongoing racism. This year, it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications, flu vaccination rates among African Americans and Hispanics are lower than vaccination rates among non-Hispanic White persons. The most important thing you can do for yourself, your family and the community is to get your flu shot today.
Where can I get a flu shot?
If you would like to find a flu vaccine location near you visit ImmunizeNevada.org. The Southern Nevada Health District offers flu vaccines by appointment at their clinic locations. Call 702-759-0850 to schedule an appointment.
