Protect Yourself From the Flu

Influenza, often known as “the flu,” can be a serious infection that is caused by a virus. It is an infection that can be easily prevented or at least made less severe by having a flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is during October or November. However, getting a flu shot in December or later will still protect you against the flu. The VA Maryland Health Care System strongly recommends that you get your flu shot as soon as possible.

Flu spreads very easily from person to person. The infection can be mild, but it can also cause severe illness and even death. Influenza causes more than 100,000 hospitalizations and an average of 36,000 deaths each year in the United States.

Individuals with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease are particularly at risk of the influenza infection, as are people in nursing, convalescent or other institutional settings. People 50 years of age or older are also urged to get the influenza vaccination annually.

Anyone who wants to decrease the risk for catching the flu should get a flu shot. The only exceptions are if you are allergic to eggs or have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous flu shot.

The flu shot is safe and it works. While it is not 100% effective in preventing the flu, if you get the shot and still get the flu, it is usually far less serious than if you did not get the shot. Sometimes there are side effects from the shot that may be mistaken as the flu such as a sore arm, aching or a slight fever.

Aside from having a flu shot every year, there are other things you can do to avoid getting or spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands frequently;
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
  
• Stay home when you are sick if at all possible; and
  
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
  coughing or sneezing.

If you think you may have the flu, contact the Telephone Care Line for the VA Maryland Health Care System at 1-800-865-2441 or your health care provider within two days of the symptoms. There are medications that may help you if taken within two days of the onset of the flu.

Enrolled veterans can get free flu shots without any appointments at the following locations:

Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Centers and the Loch Raven, Glen Burnie and Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinics: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic: Monday and Wednesday from Noon to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pocomoke City VA Outpatient Clinic: Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please remember that you do not need an appointment for a flu shot. You can just stop by your VA medical center or outpatient clinic on the days and times listed above to receive your free flu shot.

For general information about flu shots, please contact the Flu Information Line at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7273.

Return to Top
Return to Table of Contents