Fight The Flu. Protect Your Crew.
Flu viruses change every year, so that’s why you need to get yearly flu shots.A past free dose of flu does not guarantee a present or future free of flu.
You’ve probably heard a friend or family member say “It’s just the flu” … you might have even said it yourself. But the truth is the flu affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, and lifestyle. For some people, like those who are pregnant, over 65, or have chronic health conditions (such as diabetes and asthma), the effects of the flu can be even more severe, leading to serious complications and even death. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 51,000 people die each year from the flu.
Vaccines work similarly to seat belts: they may not prevent a car accident, but they can protect you from getting a serious injury or even dying. Even after receiving a vaccine, you could still get the flu, but if you do, your symptoms will be milder and last for fewer days. This is why it is important to stay up to date on your flu shots each year and keep yourself protected from the worst possible outcome.
Getting the Flu Vaccination is Easy
Getting the flu shot doesn’t give you the flu
Getting a flu vaccine is a bold choice that you can make today to ensure everyone’s safety. You may have heard people saying that they got the flu from the flu shot. But this isn’t true.
It contains a dead strain of the flu virus to activate your body’s natural defenses, without giving you the flu. You may experience normal side effects such as – soreness, redness, and or swelling from the shot and the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, or muscle aches.
Pregnant?
Pregnant people are at increased risk of severe influenza, including cases leading to hospitalization. Influenza in mothers can also be harmful to an unborn baby. That is why the best option to protect yourself, and your baby is vaccination.
If you are pregnant or have a loved one who is, immunizations are safe, recommended, and, most importantly, they provide immunity for the unborn child until six months after birth.
Stay Healthy
Did you know that it is safer to visit a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital than a restaurant, a grocery store, or a friend’s house? Why? Healthcare facilities are operated by healthcare professionals who take your safety very seriously.
A flu shot is the first and best way to reduce your chances of getting the flu, spreading it to others, and helping conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people that needed it most.
Although flu is common and may not be severe for many people, more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year.
The flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, but it will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Have questions about the risks?
Infants should not get a flu shot until they are at least six months old. Individuals with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu shot or any ingredient(s) in the shot shouldn’t get the flu shot. Click here or contact your local health department for more information
Tight finances don’t have to prevent you and your family from getting a flu shot. There are many options to obtain the flu shot at low or no cost to you.
Many health departments, pharmacies, and grocery stores offer flu shots at no cost to you.
Flu shots are generally covered for anyone with Medicare Part B.
If you have employer health insurance, Medicaid benefits, or other insurance that conforms to the Affordable Care Act, the flu shot will likely be at no cost.
Not getting a flu shot has its own cost.
If you or a loved one gets the flu, have you considered all the medicine you will need to buy, the lost income from missing work, or the personal days you would have to use? Not to mention the money you would need to cover doctor appointments, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.
Click here to learn more about why the flu shot matters and where to find a flu shot near you:
You can help create more laughter, smiles, and precious moments when you and those you care for are healthy and have full immunity.
don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today and follow these steps:
1. Learn more about the flu shot.
2. Find flu shots in your area.
3. Schedule your flu shots ahead of time so you can get in, get out, and get on with your life.
4. Use this as an opportunity to advocate for everyone's well-being and spend time together as a family.
We Are Here For You.
If you are still making a decision right now, stop and ask yourself: of the two available options - getting the flu shot or not - which one do I want to remember as an essential part of this season of my life and the story of my family? Make it the one that you’re proud to share and talk about.
- 1006 S Michigan Avenue, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60605 - Phone: 312.491.8161
- Email: info@everthriveil.org
- Web: https://www.everthriveil.org/
Resources in Illinois
1. Chicago Department of Public Health
2. Find your local health department
3. Walgreens: Get your free flu shot
4. Cook County Dept. of Public Health
5. Faith Leader Flu Resource Interfaith
6. Families Fighting Flu- Family Stories
- 1006 S Michigan Avenue, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60605 - Phone: 312.491.8161
- Email: info@everthriveil.org
- Web: https://www.everthriveil.org/
Protecting your family from the flu is safe and easy.
