Flu Shots

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says last year's flu vaccine was 60% effective.   Considering the high monetary and personal costs of being sick and the cost of the flu shot, that seems like a good bargain to us.  Flu shots can be FREE with most health insurances and $25 or less without.  The CDC says the flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu.  

In addition to the flu shot, good health habits such as covering your cough with the inside of your elbow and washing your hands can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Antiviral drugs are an important second line of defense.  They must be prescribed by a doctor.

For more information on effectiveness, see the CDC website.  Hit the back arrow to return to this blog.

The CDC estimates that over 200,000 people in the USA will be hospitalized each year for respiratory and heart conditions associated with the flu.  The CDC estimate a range of 3,000 to 49,000 people in the USA die each year from flu-related illnesses.

If these statistics hold true, it is no surprise that health insurance companies want as many as possible over the age of six months to get flu shots.  And when insurance companies save money, we do, too.

• our premiums are less
• we don't pay those out-of-pocket deductibles when well
• we don't lose work time
• we don't lose leisure time
• we feel good