I didn’t get my annual flu vaccine regularly until I was pregnant with my first. It was just a natural instinct to make sure that I and the baby were both protected against such a common illness that occurs, especially during our long, winter season.
Every year since, David and I make sure all of us get our annual flu shots. Now that I have three kids to take every year, I get myself vaccinated while the kids get their annual flu shots, too. David usually gets his through his work’s flu shot clinic.
My dad and I got hit with the flu pretty bad last year. I could tell a huge difference between my experience and his bout with the same flu. He didn’t get the flu shot last year, and his symptoms were much more severe than mine.. It lasted way longer and took almost 6 weeks until full recovery.
As a caretaker for my parents, I make sure to take them with us. Last fall, we all went to our local Target pharmacy to get this season’s flu vaccine.
It was a seamless process, even with the kids. With all the uncertainty during this season, I’m glad that we are all protected.
Flu Vaccine for Michiganders
For more information, you can head to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Resources. Some tidbits of info I read up on include:
- It’s important to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
- Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor due to the flu by 40 to 60 percent.
- It takes up to two weeks after you get the flu shot for your body to build up enough immunity to prevent the flu, so Michigan residents should get vaccinated now to protect themselves before flu activity increases in Michigan.
- There is currently ample supply of flu vaccine available at many locations throughout Michigan, including doctors’ offices, pharmacies and local health departments.
- Flu vaccination helps keep you and your loved ones out of the doctor’s office and out of the hospital.
- Flu vaccination reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74 percent during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
- In recent years, flu vaccines have reduced the risk of flu hospitalizations among adults by about 40 percent. (Source)
- Flu vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with flu by 82 percent, during flu seasons from 2012 to 2015.
For more information and resources about the flu vaccine and where you can get yours, visit The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Flu Vaccine for Michiganders
