With new strains of flu developing all the time, medical science does not promise that getting vaccinated against known flu types will guarantee your protection - but flu shots are often recommended for reducing your risk of catching these viruses.
The flu vaccinations offered by your local clinic or health centre will be specially designed to combat the most common strains of flu currently in circulation, or that are predicted to be contracted by more people during the winter season. In recent years, flu shots offered protection against the H1N1 pandemic, commonly known as swine flu, in addition to other common influenza viruses.
If you have ever suffered from flu, you will be familiar with the discomfort and health risks associated with the condition, which affects people in different ways but can be very serious in some cases, especially when contracted by young children or elderly people. If you are pregnant, or have medical conditions such as asthma, cerebral palsy or epilepsy, flu protection can be especially important. To ensure the best possible protection, many clinics recommend that everyone over the age of six months is vaccinated annually against new and returning influenza strains, which may not be covered by your previous vaccinations.
When you get flu vaccinations, your body will be injected with a small sample of the virus that will cause your immune system to produce antibodies and fight the infection. These antibodies will remain in your system and offer long term protection against this type of influenza for up to a year, though levels of antibodies begin declining after six months.
The flu vaccinations offered by your local clinic or health centre will be specially designed to combat the most common strains of flu currently in circulation, or that are predicted to be contracted by more people during the winter season. In recent years, flu shots offered protection against the H1N1 pandemic, commonly known as swine flu, in addition to other common influenza viruses.
If you have ever suffered from flu, you will be familiar with the discomfort and health risks associated with the condition, which affects people in different ways but can be very serious in some cases, especially when contracted by young children or elderly people. If you are pregnant, or have medical conditions such as asthma, cerebral palsy or epilepsy, flu protection can be especially important. To ensure the best possible protection, many clinics recommend that everyone over the age of six months is vaccinated annually against new and returning influenza strains, which may not be covered by your previous vaccinations.
When you get flu vaccinations, your body will be injected with a small sample of the virus that will cause your immune system to produce antibodies and fight the infection. These antibodies will remain in your system and offer long term protection against this type of influenza for up to a year, though levels of antibodies begin declining after six months.