Flu Vaccination 2024

Getting an Influenza Vaccine Can Prevent Influenza (flu)

Help protect long term care residents and staff from COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, especially during the fall and winter months. The importance of annual vaccinations is more critical than ever, especially for those residing and working in long term care.

Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant people, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications.

In an average year, thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. The flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose each flu season. 

It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.

There are many flu viruses, and they are always changing. Each year, a new flu vaccine is made to protect against the influenza viruses that are believed to be likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these viruses, it may still provide some protection.

Influenza vaccine does not cause flu.

Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Attached is the CDC link for the vaccine information sheet for to post for your employees. Please encourage all your employees to get the flu vaccine.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/downloads/ltcf-why-get-vaccinated.pdf

NYSHFA | NYSCAL CONTACTS:

Christina Audi, MHA, LNHA
Executive Director, NYSCAL
caudi@nyshfa-nyscal.org
518-462-4800 x 13