Vital Things You Should Know About Seasonal Flu & Flu Vaccine

It's flu season! But you can help prevent the spread of influenza. There are lots of things you can do to protect yourself and your family as well.

• Get your flu shot.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick, avoid contact with others.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, hanky or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth.

Things You Need To Know About Flu Vaccine:

• Anyone can get the flu.
• Flu is caused by a virus that spreads from people who are flu-infected to the nose or throat of other people.
• The flu shot doesn't contain live viruses and the nasal spray flu vaccine does contain weakened viruses; you cannot get the flu illness from either flu vaccine.
• You can get the flu shot at the same time you get other vaccines.
• You should get your flu shot every year. If you had the shot in the past years, you are not protected from the flu this year.
• Healthy people ages 2-49 and who are not pregnant may get the nasal spray flu vaccine instead of the flu shot. All others including people with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza should get the flu shot.