Home Care Pharmacy - Preventing the Flu: Is There a Deadline?

1. Home Care Pharmacy - Preventing the Flu: Is There a Deadline? Is January Too Late to Get a Flu Shot? Many people choose to get their flu shots in the Fall to protect themselves from the dominant strains of flu that occur at home, work and school during this time. Fall continues to be a hectic time of year for many people, which can cause folks to avoid or forget their flu shots. Health care providers and pharmacies advertise getting flu shots during the fall, too. If you missed your flu shot, are they still available? And can they still prevent you from having serious flu-related health problems? Thankfully, flu shots can be obtained nearly any time of the year. If you missed your flu vaccination in the fall, you can still get your flu shot and receive protection from the flu. If you haven’t received your vaccination, contact your local pharmacy. For those in or near Simi Valley, Home Care Pharmacy offers the standard flu vaccine for your area that will protect you from the flu viruses you are most likely to encounter in the area. So getting your flu shot in January will still protect you for the rest of flu season. Flu season can start as early as October and last through May. So it is a good idea to get your flu shot, even if you don’t do it until January. Seniors Need a Flu Shot Getting the flu shot is one of the most effective preventative measures in avoiding the flu, but it’s really only effective if the whole community gets vaccinated. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to the strength of what is called “herd immunity.” About 85% of flu-related deaths occur in people who are age 65 and older. If you got your flu shot early in the fall, you might need a booster flu shot if the virus continues to be an issue in the early spring. People over 65 can have serious health problems as a result of contracting the flu. Older people, children, and persons with chronic health problems should all get a flu shot to protect them from becoming severely ill with the flu. Home Care Pharmacy in Simi Valley offers flu shots in a convenient setting during flexible hours. If you are a senior citizen, protecting yourself with a flu shot makes good sense. A flu shot may save you a stay in the hospital and possibly even save your life. Stop by or call your pharmacist at Home Care Pharmacy today.