Why should you get vaccinated against the flu?

Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect people differently.  Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.  Over a period of 31 seasons between 19786 and 2007, estimated flu associated death in the united States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people.  During a regular flu season about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older.  The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.  During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others.  When people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can be spread through the community.  How do flu vaccines work?   Flu vaccines are the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine(LAIV) cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.  These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.  The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.  Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2)ruses.  Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.  The North Andover Senior Center will be providing two flu cli9nic this season the first will be held on Thursday October 2nd from 1:00-2:00 pm. The second will be held on Wednesday, October 15th from 1:30-2:00 pm.  Please be prepared- as every year, residents age 65 and older will need to bring their Medicare Part B card or applicable current health insurance card. , Quadravalent flu vaccine w