Beacon of HOPE Wellness Committee: It is time to get your flu shot
Vaccines protect us by working with your body’s immune system to prevent serious diseases. When most people are vaccinated, even those who are unable to be vaccinated will be protected it’s what is called “herd immunity.” Even if you get a disease and don’t feel sick, you can give it to someone who might die from it. In 1974, a doctor, Gretchen LaSalle, conducted a study which demonstrated that a dip in the rate of whooping cough vaccinations in England resulted in an epidemic of more than 100,000 cases with 36 deaths by 1978. It really is important for people of all ages to get the appropriate vaccine.
There are four vaccines that adults should have.
The first is the flu shot. The CDC estimates that the flu is responsible for between as many as 720,000 hospitalizations each year in the US and from 12,000 to 56,000 deaths. Of those who die from the flu, 80 percent did not receive a flu shot. The best time to get it is now. If that is not possible, get it as soon as you can. It’s better to get it late than not all. It takes two weeks to develop immunity.
Get a Florida RX card. It will help pay for the shot. When you get a shot at any Publix Pharmacy, you also receive a free Publix gift card and you can use your Florida RX card for a discount of the flu shot.
The other shots you need are tetanus, pneumococcal and Shingles vaccine. Check to see what else you need and get that flu shot now. Remember, you are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting those around you.
For more information, call the Beacon of HOPE at 239-283-5123. The Beacon is located at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City.