It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), December 5-11, an annual observance to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get vaccinated against flu!
Getting a flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting flu. Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent flu. Flu vaccines are the only vaccines that protect against flu and are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
Getting a flu vaccine can help keep you out of your doctor’s office or the hospital. During the 2019-2020 season, influenza caused 38 million flu illnesses, 400,000 flu hospitalizations and 22,000 flu deaths. It could have been even worse without flu vaccines.
Getting a flu vaccine can help protect others. It’s important for everyone to do their part to stay healthy this flu season, especially as COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community. Get vaccinated to protect yourself, your family, and your community from flu! Get vaccinated for everything you love!
To receive your flu vaccine at Texas Children’s, visit texaschildrensbenefits.org/flu.
The Immunization Project at Texas Children’s Hospital is dedicated to developing, implementing and evaluating strategies to help keep our community free of vaccine preventable diseases. For immunization education, questions or support please contact us at 832-824-2064.