My Flu Shot PSA

I'm writing what I hope to make my Annual Public Service Announcement on the Flu Shot.

I was inspired to write this, in part, due to a blog post like it from another CFer. What she wrote was so awesomely thought-out, I will do my best to not write an exact replica. So here goes...

In a week, we'll be into mid-October, which is the perfect time to get your flu shot. There is a time when it could be considered 'too early' because the antibodies you make can wear off after some time. So you want to get your shot around this time because we aren't that far away from or in to flu season, and we aren't so far away from it that come February, you would be less immune due to your super early shot.

No one likes being poked in the arm. I get it. I don't either. I have always gotten the flu shot for my entire life because I have to. My parents have too. Jarrod never did until well into our relationship, but now every year we go down to Walgreens so he can get one.

Maybe you don't feel like you need the shot, maybe you have a decent immune system. But I'm going to bet that you know someone who has a lesser immune system and cannot afford to become sick; someone who is pregnant, or is under 5 years old, or is elderly, or has cancer, or has asthma, or has an autoimmune disease, or has had a transplant, or has a compromised immune system... and sometimes, you might not even know it. See, for people like us the flu is not some thing where we catch it, get some Tamiflu, take a couple days off work, and then we're good to go. The flu is a BIG flippin' deal, and could potentially send us into the hospital for a few days, or more depending on the person.

You might be thinking 'Well, if YOU get the shot, and if I catch the flu, why do I still need the shot? You already got one, so we're good.' Wrong. Yes, I get the flu shot, but it has been studied and it is unknown as to how effective it is due to the immune system being compromised, therefore less capable of building up the antibodies needed to create my own personal flu shield.

Getting a shot may be a personal decision, but the spread of germs is not. Germs do not discriminate between old or young, healthy or sick. Germs spread everywhere, especially during "cold and flu season" when we're all cooped up with each other. So if you decide not to get vaccinated this year, you should realize that viruses like the flu take a day or so to even show symptoms, meaning you could unknowingly pass them on to everyone you know. But most of all, please realize that your health choices impact more than just you and your immediate household.

Whether you get the flu shot or not, you should also realize that you NEED to stay home if you're sick—no excuses like 'Well I have to work' or 'It's Thanksgiving, I haven't seen everyone in a while.' For the sake of everyone else, take one for the team, and stay home. Trust me, anyone who can identify with the list above will thank you later.