{"id":111908,"date":"2020-10-23T13:58:52","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T17:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111908\/who-should-get-the-flu-vaccine-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T11:17:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:17:35","slug":"who-should-get-the-flu-vaccine-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111908\/who-should-get-the-flu-vaccine-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Who should get the flu vaccine?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting an annual flu shot is one of the best tools we have to prevent the spread of the flu. By getting your flu shot, you\u2019re not only protecting yourself, you\u2019re protecting those around you.  So let\u2019s talk about who should get the flu vaccine. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should everyone get the flu shot?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is: pretty much. The CDC recommends that those 6 months of age and older get an annual flu vaccine. This is especially important for people who are at high risk of experiencing flu complications, including young children, pregnant people, and older adults.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are only very rare occasions where getting a flu shot isn\u2019t recommended for certain people \u2014 like very young babies; those with serious, specific allergies; or people with weakened immune systems. Because some folks can\u2019t be vaccinated, it makes it that much more important that those of us who <\/span>can <\/span><\/em>get the vaccine do. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits of being vaccinated?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The more people who get vaccinated against the flu, the better it is for everyone. \u201cHerd immunity\u201d is a term that\u2019s used to describe the concept of a large number of people in a community being vaccinated against a certain disease. When that number is high enough, it helps to prevent the spread of germs through a community, including the most vulnerable people who  can\u2019t get a flu shot themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a more basic level, no one wants to get the flu. The flu is much more than a bad cold, with symptoms like fever, fatigue, aches, cough, and headache. It can also cause complications like pneumonia, and can be very dangerous. The flu shot helps prevent you from getting infected, or in the event that you\u2019re vaccinated but still pick up the flu, it ensures a much milder case. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flu vaccination helps keep us all healthy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

So unless you\u2019re one of those few folks who isn\u2019t able to get a flu shot, you should. The fewer flu cases circulating, the better. The simple step of getting a flu shot goes a long way toward helping protect you and the people around you from serious disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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