{"id":111914,"date":"2020-10-23T13:57:42","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T17:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111914\/why-its-so-important-to-get-the-flu-vaccine-this-year-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T11:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:18:40","slug":"why-its-so-important-to-get-the-flu-vaccine-this-year-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111914\/why-its-so-important-to-get-the-flu-vaccine-this-year-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why it\u2019s so important to get the flu vaccine every year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fall in the U.S. means saying goodbye summer and hello pumpkin spice season. It also means that flu season is quickly approaching.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flu vaccine is one of the strongest tools we have to reduce the spread of the flu and protect ourselves and each other. The more people who get vaccinated against the flu, the better it is for everyone. \u201cHerd immunity\u201d is a term used to describe the concept of a large number of people in a community being vaccinated against a certain disease. When the number of people vaccinated is high enough, it helps to prevent the spread of those germs throughout a community.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC recommends that almost everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine, especially people who are at high risk of experiencing flu complications and hospitalization including young children, pregnant people, and older adults.  Infants cannot receive a flu vaccine until 6 months of age, and they aren\u2019t fully protected until they\u2019ve had more than one dose. This is why it\u2019s all the more important that people who can get vaccinated do \u2014 when vaccination rates are high enough, folks who can\u2019t get vaccinated are still protected. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with flu season upon us, make sure that you schedule your flu vaccine now if you haven\u2019t already. And encourage your friends and family to do the same. There are a number of different ways you can get a flu vaccine. You can call your healthcare provider to make an appointment, visit a community clinic, or get a flu vaccine at your local pharmacy. It\u2019s a powerful tool to protect us all, and with a baby on the way,\u00a0it\u2019s even more important.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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