Survey says less than 50% of the population gets a flu shot. I used to be one of those people. I am also the mother of an 11 year old son, and despite being fully immunized with the recommended childhood vaccines, he didn’t get his first flu shot until he was two years old. I didn’t get a flu shot before, during or after my pregnancy. Surprised? Me too. So, what changed my mind?

In 2006, I applied for a position at a community immunization coalition that was expanding from its staff of one. The week before my November interview I got sick. Miserably sick – in bed, fever, aches. In fact, I showed up to my interview coughing, with a Venti sized hot water and honey because I wasn’t convinced my sore throat would make it through the interview. I obviously had influenza, I hadn’t gotten vaccinated, and they hired me anyway. The next flu season, my son and I got vaccinated – I didn’t want to relive the misery of the year before and I believe that public health professionals have a duty to practice what we preach – whether it’s immunization, tobacco use, disease prevention, etc.

Fast forward to 2009. My son came home from summer day camp not feeling well and my fears were verified by the sample taken by our doctor; he had H1N1. (Disclaimer: He had been vaccinated that season but it didn’t protect against H1N1, and the new vaccine wasn’t yet available) He was really sick. The sickest I’ve ever seen him. We both took Tamiflu and I spent the next 10 days taking care of him. I missed work and other activities, but more importantly, I spent 10 days worrying if he was going to make it to his 8th birthday. Having to worry about your child dying is something no parent should have to do.

It’s not like I was ignorant about the severity of influenza. My great grandfather and my great aunt died in the influenza pandemic of 1918, leaving behind their spouses and young children. But, that wasn’t enough to motivate me to get vaccinated. I was a healthy 30-something, I ate a mostly vegetarian diet full of organic foods and I was a runner. What I didn’t pay attention to was that I was a caregiver to a newborn, who needed my protection because he was too young to be protected. Unfortunately, getting vaccinated wasn’t a recommendation I was given when he was an infant. Four years later, our local hospital started “cocooning” new babies by offering flu and Tdap vaccines to new parents. Today, cocooning is standard practice in birthing hospitals across the U.S.

In the last 6 years, have I gotten the flu from a flu vaccine? Nope. Have I felt side effects from my body working to protect me? Absolutely. Arm soreness, fever, sore throat – they’re worth it knowing that not only am I keeping myself healthy each flu season, but I’m also protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

In my position as Executive Director of Immunize Nevada, I meet a lot of people and I’ve heard countless stories about how terrible vaccine-preventable diseases such as influenza can be. So don’t take a chance, and don’t be a statistic. Log onto InFLUenceNevada.org, click on find flu clinic locations and take charge of your health. It’s not too late and your family, friends and community will thank you.

More times than not, people look at getting the flu as no big deal. Although it’s not exactly known how many people die each year from influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 23,000 people die each year from flu-related deaths – A number, which can be reduced if everyone receives the flu vaccination each year.

So who exactly should be vaccinated against the flu? Well the answer is simple really. Anyone over the age of 6-month should receive a flu vaccination each year. However, there is a list of people who are highly recommended, by the CDC, to receive an immunization.

1. Children- children are two-to-three times more likely to develop influenza since their immune systems are still developing. FluMist is now an available option for children over two. This is a nasal spray vaccination instead of a shot.

2. Pregnant women- It is highly recommended for pregnant women to get vaccinated. If you get any type of flu while pregnant you are more likely to have serious complications, such as pneumonia and preterm labor, which could put you and your baby at risk.

3. People 50 years of age and older- As we get older our immune system tends to weaken and it is much harder for our bodies’ natural defenses to combat viruses. Flu shots help boost immunity and now fluzone high dose is available for people over 65 years of age.

4. Anyone with certain chronic medical conditions- People with chronic medical conditions including, but not limited to, asthma, lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, kidney disorders, weakened immune systems, and obesity are at high risk for developing flu complications.

5. People who live with or care for those at high risk for the flu- Since the flu is airborne and contagious, it’s important for those caring for people who are at high risk get vaccinated.

6. Healthcare workers- Working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities, healthcare workers have a higher risk for contracting the flu.