Get vaccinated
You can get protected from the flu by receiving the flu shot or vaccination, which is effective within two weeks of the injection. Flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, meaning that it contains killed influenza virus. Vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce an immune response (antibodies) to the influenza virus. It is, however, not a fool-proof protection, as the virus strains vary from flu season to flu season each year, and the vaccine is only effective against strains that match the vaccine. This is why a revaccination is recommended every year.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual vaccination for people who are at risk for serious complications from the flu, including the elderly, children 6 to 23 months of age, women who will be pregnant during the flu season, people with chronic heart or lung disease, or any condition that can compromise respiratory function as well as people who are in close contact with someone in a high-risk group.
