“The influenza vaccine is safe, highly effective, and should be taken by everyone unless you have a serious egg allergy,” said Dr. VandeWaa, who is also professor of internal medicine at the USA College of Medicine. “It is especially important for those in high risk groups to get protected, such as pregnant women, infants, and the elderly. This also includes those with a chronic illness like heart disease and diabetes or those who are immunocompromised in any way.”
According to Dr. VandeWaa, between 30,000 and 40,000 people die from the flu each year in the United States, many of which could have been prevented by appropriate vaccination.
“With a flu shot, protection goes beyond the person that has been vaccinated – it protects your family, friends, and coworkers as well,” he said. “It is especially important for health care professionals to get vaccinated as a way to protect their patients as well as themselves.”
“Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get the flu by receiving the flu vaccine,” Dr. VandeWaa added. “The vaccine uses a killed, not live, virus.”
Immunity takes two weeks to develop after you have been given the vaccine and lasts for at least six months.
USA Physicians Group will provide Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics exclusively for USA Employees. The vaccines are available free of charge for USA employees and their family members covered by the USA Health & Dental Plan.
To view a complete schedule of flu shot clinics, visit www.usahealthsystem.com/fluvaccine.