It’s everywhere. Your doctor’s office. The work place. It’s staring you in the face.

Here’s why your child (and you…yes parents) should have the flu shot.

The flu is common and unpredictable. And it can cause serious illness and, G-d forbid, even death, in healthy children.

The flu vaccine protects children from influenza viruses. Young children are especially vulnerable to these viruses. Every year, an average of 20,000 children under 5 years of age in the United States are hospitalized with flu complications like pneumonia.

Children age 2 years and younger who come down with the flu are more likely to have serious complications. As a result, both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend the flu vaccine for just about everyone who are at least 6 months old. In addition, babysitters, housekeepers, teachers, Rebbes, Morahs, therapists and others who work with children should also be vaccinated.

Why should you get the flu vaccine if you had it in previous seasons and still got the flu?

You can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. The present vaccine being offered is made from killed viruses. After receiving the flu vaccine, you may experience mild symptoms like nausea, muscle aches and chills. If you are vaccinated and still catch the flu, the good news is that because of the vaccine, vaccinated people will most likely get a milder version of the flu.

Fact: The flu vaccine saves lives.

Dr. Lightman and Team Total Family Care MD have already received their flu shots….won’t you please join me! 

This year’s flu vaccine is available as a shot only

Total Family Care will announce flu shot dates soon!

Follow Us on Social Media to Be First to Know of news, healthcare notices, events and fun photos of our team and patients

The nasal spray vaccine, which was a live virus, is not offered this flu season.  Previous three flu seasons, it was not as efficacious against the flu virus.

Notice to anti-vaccine activists: The flu vaccine does NOT cause autism. Neither do other vaccines, but that’s not the point of this article.