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The Importance Of Getting Your Flu Shot This Season

Fight the Flu: Schedule a Vaccine Appointment Today! Promotional graphic featuring an illustration of a gloved hand holding a syringe and a photo of Infection Preventionist Brian Earnshaw, RN, BSN, with a message encouraging flu vaccinations
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The Importance Of Getting Your Flu Shot This Season

Wellness Wednesday: Wellness Tips

A stylized lotus flower logo with shades of teal and green, featuring a circular emblem in the center depicting a white mountain peak against a blue and green backgroundAt Monadnock Community Hospital, we believe that wellness isn’t just a destination—it’s a journey we embark on together. That’s why we’ve launched our Wellness Wednesday campaign, an initiative designed to inspire, inform, and empower our community to lead healthier, happier lives.

The Importance of Getting Your Flu Shot This Season

Presented by Brian Earnshaw, RN, BSN

Schedule a Vaccine Appointment Today!

 

A note from our Infection Preventionist, Brian Earnshaw RN, BSN

As the weather grows colder, it is a time to reflect on the importance of getting your annual flu shot. Influenza affects millions of people every year and can be a serious, even life-threatening illness for vulnerable populations. Here are a few key reasons to get vaccinated:

 

Protect Yourself

The flu can lead to severe symptoms and complications, especially in high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions. A flu shot greatly reduces your risk of infection and serious illness.

 

Protect Others

The flu can spread easily through sneezing, coughing, or talking. Getting vaccinated helps prevent transmission to others, including those who are more vulnerable.

 

Support Herd Immunity

When more people are vaccinated, the whole community benefits. This collective immunity helps protect those who can’t get vaccinated themselves due to health issues.

 

Be Prepared for Flu Season’s Unpredictability

Flu strains change each year, so yearly vaccination is crucial to staying protected against the most current virus strains.

 

Reduce Healthcare Strain

Flu vaccinations help lessen the load on healthcare facilities, especially during peak seasons, allowing resources to focus on critical cases.

With flu shots being quick, easy, and widely available, now is the perfect time to protect yourself and others. Contact your primary care office or local pharmacy to schedule a vaccination appointment. Don’t wait—vaccinate and help keep our communities healthier this flu season.

 

Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms

Comparison table of signs and symptoms between a cold and influenza (flu), sourced from CDC. For a cold, symptoms onset gradually, fever is rare, aches are slight, chills uncommon, fatigue or weakness sometimes, sneezing common, chest discomfort or cough mild to moderate with a hacking cough, stuffy nose common, sore throat common, and headache rare. For influenza, symptoms onset abruptly, fever is common and lasts 3-4 days, aches are common and often severe, chills fairly common, fatigue or weakness usual, sneezing sometimes, chest discomfort or cough common and can be severe, stuffy nose sometimes, sore throat sometimes, and headache common. Source: CDC.gov/Flu

Signs & Symptoms Cold Influenza (Flu)
Symptom Onset Gradual Abrupt
Fever Rare Common, Lasts 3-4 Days
Aches Slight Common, Often Severe
Chills Uncommon Fairly Common
Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual
Sneezing Common Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough Mild to Moderate, Hacking Cough Common, Can be Severe
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
Sore Throat Common Sometimes
Headache Rare Common

Source: CDC.Gov/Flu