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Cleveland Clinic is holding seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination clinics at its Northeast Ohio locations. Information on the clinics, can be found at clevelandclinic.org/flu.
The flu is contagious and can cause serious respiratory illness. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. It can reduce illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated every year by the end of October, if possible, as it can take two to four weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu virus infection to develop in the body.
The timing of seasonal flu activity is unpredictable and can vary, but most typically occurs between October and May.
“Flu is a serious illness, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. Getting vaccinated provides the best defense against flu throughout the season,” said Susan Rehm, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic. “When you get vaccinated, you protect yourself and those around you, including older adults, very young children, pregnant women and people who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications due to certain health conditions.”
Only injectable flu shots are recommended for use; data has shown the nasal spray flu vaccine provided poor or low protection against the flu between 2013 and 2016. Getting the flu shot does not cause the flu. The most common side effects from the flu shot are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.
If you are sick with flu, prescription antiviral medications can make the illness milder and shorten the time you are sick, and may also prevent serious flu complications.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 51,000 employees are more than 3,500 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 14,000 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic’s health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 10 regional hospitals, more than 150 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in Weston, Fla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2016, there were 7.1 million outpatient visits, 161,674 hospital admissions and 207,610 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
