Each year, West Virginians grapple with flu season. Stuffy noses, sore throats, and body aches become just another part of wintertime in the Mountain State. Because of this, flu vaccinations are encouraged to prevent and lessen the severity of influenza.

However, with this year’s flu season raging alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, health officials across the nation are strongly recommending that everyone over the age of six months get the flu vaccination this year.

Here are five reasons you should get the flu vaccination this season.

1. Lessen the stress on healthcare facilities, including BCHA.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already taken over thousands of healthcare and medical clinics across the United States. However, with this disease coinciding with influenza this year, health officials are worried that the two illnesses will overwhelm emergency rooms and hospitals causing shortages and overcrowding in facilities. By getting the flu vaccination this year, you will help in lessening the stress of healthcare professionals who are already overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

2. Decrease your chance of further health complications.
The flu vaccination in no way prevents one from getting the illness, however, it can help limit the spread and decrease the chance of influenza-related health complications for folks with chronic diseases. The flu vaccine has additional benefits for people with chronic medical conditions, like reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death among people with heart disease, and decreasing illness flares in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Complications from influenza can lead to hospitalization, and in some cases, death.

3. The flu shot does not give you the flu.
Despite what some may say, the flu vaccination does not give you the illness. As stated before, the vaccination does not prevent you from getting ill, but rather lessens the severity and can limit the spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports getting your flu vaccine effectively cuts your chances of contracting seasonal influenza by up to 60 percent.

4. COVID-19 and influenza have similar symptoms.
This year’s flu season is looking different than in previous years. Mainly because the two contagious respiratory illnesses — COVID-19 and the flu — have similar effects on people. This is a worry among many because it can be difficult to distinguish the illness without proper testing. These similar symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and coughs. There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than the flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer.

5. Flu vaccinations are often free.
During flu season it’s not hard to find a location that offers the flu vaccination. Many clinics and pharmacies will offer the vaccination free of charge. This is quite nice as the flu can easily be spread through the community. Schedule your flu vaccine this year at a BCHA location by calling to make an appointment, walk-in vaccinations are not permitted at this time due to the current health situation. You can also ask for the flu vaccine at your regularly scheduled checkup or doctor’s appointment.

There is a lot going on in the world right now but keeping yourself and loved ones safe and healthy should be a priority. The flu vaccination can help protect you and yours from the state’s rampant flu season. Consider getting a flu shot at a BCHA site today.