Although Louisiana is widely known for its warm climate, winter often brings its share of cold weather. While this provides a break from the heat, it also often coincides with a rise in flu cases. Many typically get their flu shots in late summer or early fall. But, if that window has passed and you have not received your flu shot in Alexandria, LA, you may be wondering if it’s too late. If you aren’t sure whether now is the right time to get your annual flu shot, we’re here to help. Learn more about the benefits of getting your annual flu shot with Rapides Urgent Care.
How Do Annual Flu Shots Help to Prevent Infection?
Flu season typically begins in October and lasts through May of the next year. However, the season often reaches its peak between December and February. Each year, researchers review influenza data to determine which strains pose the greatest threat in the coming flu season. Next, vaccines specifically targeting those strains are produced to be made available before the coming flu season.
Like last season’s vaccine, the current season’s flu shot is quadrivalent. This means it is designed to protect against the four influenza strains determined to be the most threatening throughout the 2022-2023 flu season. Further information about this season’s vaccine and the specific strains it targets is available at FDA.gov.
However, it can help to better understand how the vaccine helps to keep vaccinated individuals safe. Flu vaccines contain a deactivated or weakened version of the influenza virus. Following injection, the body develops antibodies that boost the immune system’s response against the influenza virus. Essentially, the vaccine trains the body to recognize flu pathogens in order to guard against them. This provides the vaccinated with additional layers of protection when compared to the unvaccinated.
Is It Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot in Alexandria?
Have you been wondering if it’s too late to get your flu shot in Alexandria? Ultimately, even if you were not vaccinated at the start of the season, the flu vaccine can still keep you safe. While you may have avoided contracting the flu, there’s no guarantee that you won’t encounter the virus in the coming months. So, in order to give yourself the best chance of avoiding infection, it makes sense to get vaccinated as soon as possible. In the 2021-2022 flu season, approximately 8 to13 million flu infections occurred. By getting vaccinated, you can do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe this season.
Check-In Today to Get Your Flu Shot
If you have not received your flu shot already, it’s not too late to protect yourself against the flu. Check-in at Rapides Urgent Care today to get your flu shot in Alexandria, LA. And, if you are already in the area near one of our locations, you can simply check-in or walk-in to get your flu vaccine. Reduce your risk this season with speedy flu shot services from Rapides Urgent Care.