As a pregnant person, I debated getting a flu shot back in the fall of 1995. I did not know very much about influenza. I knew that I had had the flu at one time or another. My reaction to getting the flu was not severe. I would take a day off work to recover from the worst of it. By 48 hours after contracting the flu, I was back to my usual self. But, with a baby on board my perspective of health was be forever changed. No longer could I worry about just myself. I had a precious baby to worry about.
I consulted with my general practitioner, my obstetrician, and even the pediatrician I had chosen for after my baby was born. All of the medical professionals agreed that getting a flu shot was relatively risk-free and potentially life-saving precautionary measure. As luck would have it, the local Red Cross van made a stop at my place of work one day.
Since 1995, I have had a flu shot yearly with the exception of the year there was a vaccine shortage. My children have each had a yearly flu shot since the age of 1 or 2 years old.
More resources on Influenza
- For more information on flu vaccinations, go to Flu.gov.
- Influenza basics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Current flu activity in the United States (weekly).
- Find a flu vaccine near you, with this helpful flu vaccine location finder.
- Find a flu clinic with the Faces of Influenza Flu Vaccine Finder.
- Live in or around Baltimore? If you are parent of a kid, a tween, or a teen, or not, check out this flu shot resource.
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