PREVENTION: Why you should get vaccinated against influenza
By John O. Beckner

Each year, we all hear people say, "I don't need to get a flu shot. I never get sick." But the facts say something different. Following are reasons why you should be vaccinated:

» Influenza is a serious viral disease that can lead to complications such as pneumonia and the worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Each year in the United States, influenza and its complications affect up to 20% of the population and result in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths.

» Getting vaccinated not only helps protect you, it also helps protect those around you. The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for anyone at risk for complications including all children 6-59 months of age and adults aged 50 and older as well as anyone who can transmit influenza to them such as close contacts.

» Getting vaccinated is the single best way to prevent influenza. When there is a close match between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation, influenza vaccination can prevent infection in about 70% to 90% of healthy persons younger than 65 years. Many people mistakenly think that they are immune to influenza, either because they have never gotten it before or because they had it last year and believe they can't get it again. However, it is important to realize that influenza viruses change from year to year. Even if you were immune to influenza strains circulating in the past, you may not be protected from the new strains that could emerge this season.

The bottom line is that getting vaccinated each influenza season is the single best way to help protect yourself against the ravages of the flu.

John O. Beckner, R. Ph. Director, Pharmacy and Health Services, Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc.