The Importance of Annual Flu Vaccination Protection

This post is made possible by the American Lung Association, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

How do we live with multiple generations under one roof?  This is a really good question.  We all have so many different wants and needs.  One of the things we absolutely need to focus on is our health and wellness.  My mother in law has her gardening and yard work to give her peace and happiness.  I have my horses – without which I think I would easily have gotten overwhelmed a long time ago.  My husband has our basement gym, and his outdoor sports.  The kids – well they also have the horses, art, music and all the things teens immerse themselves in.

We have ages 13 to 77 in our home – and often the grandchildren.  We really can’t afford to have major illness or hospitalizations.  Last winter I managed to catch the flu – actually my husband and I, and our 13 year old daughter.  It was horrible.  We all got the flu at the same time – missed five days of work and school.  We all went back for two days and then came down with pneumonia and missed another five days.  Who can miss that kind of work and school?  I have asthma and illnesses like that can be devastating.  I have a desk job (mostly) so I did go back to work but I was seriously sick for a good two months afterwards.  Honestly I think it took six months to be back to normal as much as I could be.  I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

As a result we make sure we get our annual flu vaccinations.  Not only do I need a flu vaccination but everyone in our home needs it so that we are all at a reduced risk.  It is so important to get the vaccinations annually.  Did you know the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time and the circulating flu viruses?  Did you also know the flu shot formulation varies from year to year?   Did you also know influenza, or the flu, is a serious respiratory illness that is easily spread from person to person?  The flu can lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening health problems such as pneumonia, exacerbation of heart disease and even death.  About 70 percent of adults ages 50 to 64 have one or more chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, asthma or other lung diseases, and diabetes.  I have asthma and am greater than 50 years old – but I will say I was diagnosed when I was 4.  Knowing what I know now – we will all be getting our flu vaccination annually and I highly suggest you do.

It takes about two weeks after you receive a flu shot for antibodies to develop in the body and help provide protection against the flu.  To find out where vaccines are available in your area, check out the Vaccine Finder on GetMyShot.org.

SAUS.IFLU.19.07.3895 – 08/19