Flu season in Rochester is right around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to begin thinking about when you’ll schedule your flu vaccine. Doing so will go a long way in ensuring that you stay safe and enjoy better health throughout the season.
When to Get the Vaccine
It’s important to make the right call as far as getting vaccines. Many people are seeing the benefits of scheduling their COVID-19 vaccine to fall at the same time as their flu vaccine. It’s important to do this as soon as possible so that you have time to adjust and let the soreness from the shots subside.
It’s possible to get the vaccines at the same time. Getting them done in this way will help to boost your immunity and helps you save time, so you don’t need to come back to the pharmacy or your doctor’s office on another day. With the current flu season set to be more serious than others have been in the past, you stand to gain a lot by ensuring that you’re vaccinated well before this season begins in Rochester.
Why Is the Flu Vaccine So Important?
The flu vaccine helps to reduce your risk of getting sick with the flu. The flu can leave you bedridden for a week or longer, which can be a problem for many Americans. The flu vaccine is matched to the current flu viruses that are in circulation at the moment, according to Medical News Today, and it can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 40% to 60%.
This risk goes even lower when you practice other preventative measures such as those outlined below. You’ll have a better chance of staying productive and having an easy time throughout this season. If you can go for the vaccine as a family, this will be even better since you can make sure that your entire family is safe and protected. It’ll also be less of a hassle to do this since you’ll need to clear out the schedule for just one day and make the trip once.
How to Reduce Your Risk of the Flu
You may need to take measures to reduce your risk of coming down with the flu even if you have gotten the vaccine. One of these measures is avoiding getting in close contact with people whenever you’re outdoors. You also need to practice good hygiene, which includes washing your hands with soap and water. Avoid touching your face in general as well. Doing so can transfer germs that you picked up from a surface with your hands and get them into closer proximity to your mouth, nose, or eyes where they can easily infect you.
Keep in mind that contamination can come from four primary sources, which could be physical, chemical, cross-contamination, or biological. You need to do your best to stay safe from all these potential causes of infection. Further measures include using a hand sanitizer to sanitize your hands and any surfaces that you will come into contact with throughout the day. You should also wear a facemask to reduce your chances of inhaling infected droplets that may float freely in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth.
If you’re unsure where to go for your vaccine, Rochester First reports that all Wegmans pharmacies will provide the flu vaccine this year for children over the age of 2, all adults, and all seniors. Keep this information in mind as the flu season approaches so that you can lower your chances of catching an infection.
