10/03/2025
I am happy to report that the flu vaccine was a painless experience this year! 😊 I get my flu vaccine every year to protect myself, my patients, and my family.
I recommend a flu vaccine to my patients who are 6 months and older because:
1. The flu kills healthy kids with no underlying medical problems every year. I have personally seen a child die from complications due to the flu. 266 kids in the US died last year due to flu, and 90% of those kids were not vaccinated against the flu.
2. Having the flu go through your house could lead to ER trips, hospitalizations, pneumonia, ear infections, asthma flare ups, as well as other complications, and best case, 7-10 days of unnecessary misery.
3. The flu vaccine is the best tool that we have to decrease severity and prevent complications from the flu virus. Receiving the flu vaccine can decrease the need for hospitalization, antibiotics, steroids, IV fluids, and antiviral medications, all of which are more likely to cause side effects than the flu vaccine itself. Vaccination also helps to protect the very young and very old humans around us, who are more susceptible to complications from the flu.
