Do You Need a Flu Shot This Year?

By Sue Hills, PA-C, Director of Immediate Care, Southern New Hampshire Health 

If you're wondering whether you need a flu shot this year, the short answer is probably, “yes.” Southern NH Health Immediate Care providers like me have already seen a slight increase in flu cases compared with this time last year, underscoring the importance of getting vaccinated. 

Flu season has arrived earlier than usual across the country. Cases started appearing in September instead of the more typical October or November timeframe, and healthcare providers across the state, including our area, are already seeing patients with influenza. According to health experts, now is the time to get vaccinated because the flu vaccine takes about two weeks to provide optimal protection.  

Check out the Current Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Influenza Surveillance Report 

Why Get a Flu Shot? 

A flu shot helps protect you from getting very sick. Even if you still get the flu, the vaccine can make your symptoms less severe and may also lower your chance of serious problems that could lead to a hospital stay.  

Getting vaccinated also helps protect the people around you, including babies, older adults, and others who may be at higher risk for serious illness. 

Who Should Get a Flu Shot? 

The flu vaccine is recommended for most people 6 months and older as well as for people who have contact with those in high-risk groups, including: 

• Adults 65 and older 
• People who are pregnant 
• People with asthma 
• People with COPD or other lung diseases 
• People with heart disease 
• People with weakened immune systems 

People in these groups should be vaccinated. When those around them receive the flu shot, this provides further protection to the at-risk groups and the entire community. 

Where Can You Get a Flu Shot? 

Your primary care provider is a great place to get your flu shot. Many primary care offices offer flu vaccines during regular appointments or special vaccine clinics. 

If you do not have a primary care provider, Southern New Hampshire Health's HealthMatch team can help you find one. 

If you are over 19 years old, you can also receive the flu vaccine at any of Southern New Hampshire Health's five Immediate Care locations in Nashua, Hudson, Pelham, and Pepperell.  

Know the Signs of the Flu 

Cold and flu symptoms may be similar, but the flu often starts suddenly. Many people say they feel fine one day and very sick the next.  

Common flu symptoms include: 

• Fever or chills 
• Body aches 
• Headache 
• Feeling very tired 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (more common in children) 

People with the flu often feel much worse than they would with a common cold. Some describe the feeling like they were "hit by a ton of bricks." 

What Should You Do If You Get the Flu? 

If you start having flu symptoms, call your primary care provider as soon as possible. If you can't get an appointment, visit Southern New Hampshire Health Immediate Care or schedule a Virtual Immediate Care visit from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. 

Some people may benefit from antiviral medicine, especially those who are at higher risk for serious illness. These medicines work best when started within the first 48 hours of symptoms.  

Seek care if: 

• Your symptoms are getting worse 
• Your symptoms improve and then return 
• You are in a high-risk group and develop flu symptoms 

See Immediate Care Wait Times or Schedule Your Arrival

Help Stop the Spread 

You can help protect others by: 

• Washing your hands often 
• Covering your coughs and sneezes 
• Staying home when you are sick 
• Wearing a mask when appropriate 

These simple steps can help slow the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.  

Don't Wait 

Flu season is already getting started, and it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection. Getting vaccinated now can help protect you and your loved ones later in the season.  

If you have not yet received your flu shot or begin to develop flu symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or visit us at Immediate Care.  

As your nonprofit health system, Southern New Hampshire Health is committed to helping our community stay healthy throughout flu season and beyond. 

Learn more about the flu shot and who should get it 

Sue Hills, PA-C, is the Director of Immediate Care of Southern New Hampshire Health