Influenza vaccinations in NJ are among the most effective tools we have to protect ourselves and our communities from the flu each year. According to CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates from the 2023–24 season, influenza vaccination prevented an estimated 9.8 million influenza illnesses. In fact, annual flu shots help prepare your immune system to recognize and combat circulating flu viruses before they can cause severe illness.
Across the United States, the flu impacts millions each year, causing plenty of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths. During recent flu seasons, annual vaccination prevented millions of illnesses and thousands of hospital visits. In this blog, we will discuss how influenza vaccination helps in avoiding flu symptoms.
What You’ll Learn
- What are severe flu symptoms?
- How do influenza vaccinations help in avoiding these symptoms?
- When should you seek medical help?
What Are Severe Flu Symptoms?
The flu can cause mild to life-threatening symptoms, and understanding what constitutes severe symptoms will help you take the necessary measures to protect yourself and loved ones. The usual symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and occasionally vomiting or diarrhea in children.
However, severe flu can lead to more serious complications, including:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Persistent vomiting or inability to eat or drink
- Symptoms that improve and then worsen again
- Exacerbation of underlying health conditions
In children, the severe symptoms could be rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, blue lips and/or face, severe dehydration, and abnormal drowsiness. The severe symptoms suggest pneumonia, dehydration, and organ involvement and usually require immediate care.
How Do Influenza Vaccinations Help in Avoiding These Symptoms?
The influenza vaccines in NJ are designed to build your immune system to fight the flu viruses most likely to be circulating in a particular flu season. Every year, the shots are designed in accordance with flu patterns worldwide to come as close as possible to the most common strains.
Even when the vaccine isn’t a perfect match for the circulating virus, it still offers significant benefits:
Less Serious:
People who receive the flu vaccine tend to experience fewer flu symptoms, though if they were to catch the flu, their immune systems become more effective at fighting flu attacks. The result can be a reduced flu time, reduced flu fever intensity, and flu complications such as severe tiredness.
Lower Hospitalization Rate:
Vaccination can prevent severe disease, which can progress to the point where it becomes necessary to hospitalize the afflicted individual. The role of the flu vaccines is also to prevent complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, which can place a burden on the healthcare system.
Protection of Vulnerable Populations:
Vaccination supports the protection of groups at highest risk for severe outcomes from infections, including preschool-aged children, older persons, pregnant women, and persons with certain chronic health conditions.
Prevents Spread:
By keeping your risk of infection down, you also reduce the likelihood of onward transmission to others, especially those at high risk in your family and community.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Most people with the flu recover at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief for symptoms. However, certain warning signs indicate that medical care is urgently needed:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure that doesn’t go away
- Persistent dizziness or confusion
- Severe or worsening cough
- High fever that persists despite medication
- Symptoms that improve and then suddenly worsen
Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions should be particularly vigilant. If you or a loved one falls into one of these groups and begins to show severe symptoms, or if mild symptoms do not improve within a few days, seek medical attention promptly. If symptoms are life-threatening (e.g., trouble breathing, blue lips, unresponsiveness), call emergency services immediately.
FAQs
1. Who should get an influenza vaccination?
Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine, especially those at increased risk of complications, such as young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic illnesses.
2. Can the flu shot cause the flu?
No. Flu vaccines contain either an inactivated virus or a non-infectious component. They cannot cause influenza. Mild side effects, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever, are normal vaccine-related responses.
3. Is it too late to get vaccinated if the flu season has started?
No. Vaccination is beneficial at any point during the flu season because it still reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications.
4. How long does it take for the flu vaccine to work?
It typically takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop full protective immunity against the flu viruses included in the vaccine.
5. Are flu vaccines safe?
Yes. Flu vaccines are safe and undergo rigorous testing before approval. They are continually monitored for safety once in use. Most side effects are mild and temporary.
Choose NJ Doctors Urgent Care to Get Vaccinated
Influenza vaccinations in NJ are an essential measure for protecting against severe symptoms associated with influenza infection. In several cases, thousands of hospitalizations and fatalities are witnessed each year in the U.S. because of influenza infection. Therefore, getting vaccinated is a means of substantially reducing risks and alleviating symptoms.
With NJ Doctors Urgent Care, we provide vaccinations to individuals 4 years and above. With experienced medical professionals, a patient-focused approach, and walk-in availability, we make it easy to protect yourself and your family during flu season. Make the right choice now and take a proactive approach towards improved health, reduced absenteeism, and increased community protection.