News

Contact: Crossing Rivers Communications

Prairie du Chien, WI – It's that time of year again. Time to break out the hats and mittens—and time for flu season. This year, take one extra step to stay healthy: Talk to your provider about getting a seasonal flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people ages 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine each year. Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk for serious flu complications, including young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease; and people 50 years and older.

Getting the flu shot is not a guarantee that you will not get the flu. However, if you do get the flu, the illness will probably be far less severe if you've been vaccinated.

“Vaccination is the single best way to protect you and your family against influenza,” stated Mandy Pettit, Crossing Rivers Health Clinic Nurse Manager. “Give us a call and schedule your appointment today at either our clinic in Prairie du Chien or in Fennimore.”

The flu vaccine is safe for just about everyone. Because the vaccine is made with killed viruses—or, in some cases, just the protein needed for protection—you won't get the flu from a flu shot. You may experience side effects, however, such as: soreness where you received the shot, fever, tiredness, and sore muscles. Any side effects will be mild and will probably last just one or two days..

Also, since eggs are used to produce most flu vaccines, people with allergic reactions to eggs—other than hives—should talk to their doctor before getting a flu shot. People with an allergy to any ingredient in a vaccine should also talk to their doctor first.

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