Health New England | Health Matters | Wellness Guide 2019

20 ∞ Health & Wellness Guide | 2019 Take Your Best Shot: Get the Flu Vaccine Each year, before the flu season is in full swing, you should protect yourself by getting the flu vaccine. It is your best defense against the flu. Who Needs It? The Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion recommends that everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu. It’s especially important that people at high risk for getting complications from the flu— such as pneumonia—get the vaccine. That group includes kids younger than 5 years old; adults 65 and older; pregnant women; and people who have chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Anyone who lives with or is in close contact with someone on that list should also make getting the vaccine a priority. It takes several weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect. And since flu season can continue until May, the sooner you get your shot the better. If you get sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medicine. Vaccines Aren’t Just for Kids COLD AND FLU Do you know if you are up-to-date on your immunizations? Check in with your primary care provider to make sure you’ve gotten your age-appropriate vaccinations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), immunizations are not just for children. Protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You may also be at risk for vaccine- preventable disease due to your age, job, lifestyle, travel or health conditions.