Flu Facts
There are hundreds of strains of the flu—and the vaccine protects you from several
Every season, researchers develop flu vaccines that cover three or four of the most common strains. While it’s possible to become infected with a less common strain, your symptoms may be milder if you receive the vaccination.
Breaking up is hard to do—but spreading the flu is not
According to the CDC, you become contagious one day before your symptoms even begin. That means spreading the flu is super easy to do. You're most likely to spread the virus within three to four days of becoming ill, but you can remain contagious for up to a week afterward. Getting vaccinated is by far your best shot at protecting your friends and loved ones from the flu.
The flu shot is not a “one and done.”
The flu virus mutates rapidly, so last year's vaccine probably won't protect you from this year's strains. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses—which is why you’ll need a new vaccine every year.
The flu comes for healthy people, too
No one is immune to the flu, which is why everyone over the age of six months should get vaccinated.
This is especially true for people in high-risk categories, like: Young children ages five and underAdults 65+ Women who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing People with long-term health conditions
- Young children ages five and under
- Adults 65+
- Women who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing
- Women who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing
