The flu shot is safe and protects you and the community

When the weather gets cold, flu season begins — and every year people wonder: “Do I really need the flu shot?”

That’s a good question. No medicine works 100% of the time, and it’s okay to have questions. But years of research show that getting a flu shot each year can lower your chances of getting very sick — and it helps protect your family, friends, and neighbors too.

The flu is more than “just a cold”

The flu spreads easily from person to person. It can cause high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness that lasts for days. Some people — like young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with health problems such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease — can get very sick and may even need to go to the hospital.

Even healthy people can catch the flu, miss work or school, and spread it to others without knowing.

How the flu shot helps

The flu shot helps your body recognize and fight off the flu virus. It cannot give you the flu — it doesn’t have live virus in it. After your shot, your arm might feel a little sore or you may feel tired for a day or two. That’s just your body building protection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu shot can lower your risk of getting sick and make your symptoms milder if you do catch the flu. It can also help keep you out of the hospital, especially during bad flu seasons.

Is the flu shot safe?

Flu vaccines have been around for many years and are closely watched for safety. Millions of people get the shot each year — children, adults, and seniors — and serious side effects are very rare. The most common side effects are mild: a sore arm, tiredness, or a slight fever that goes away in a day or two.

Health experts agree that the benefits of the flu shot usually outweigh the small risks.

What New York state recommends

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot each year, unless a doctor says otherwise. They suggest getting vaccinated in early fall, but it’s still worth it later in the season — as long as the flu is going around.

People who should make sure to get vaccinated include:

• Young children and adults older than 50
• Pregnant women and new mothers
• People with long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
• People living or working in nursing homes or care facilities

New York State also tracks flu activity every week so that communities can stay informed about local flu cases. You can check updates at healthy.ny.gov/flu.

Protecting others, too

When more people in the community get the flu shot, it becomes harder for the flu to spread.

That means fewer people get sick — especially babies under 6 months and those with weak immune systems who can’t get the shot themselves.

Getting vaccinated is one small way to look out for one another.

A practical choice

No vaccine works perfectly, and some people might still catch the flu after getting the shot. But they’re usually less sick and recover faster. Scientists update the vaccine every year to keep up with changing flu strains.

Getting your flu shot each year is a simple step that can make a real difference — for your health and for your community.

Nonso Osakwe, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, is director of infectious disease for Northwell’s Northern Westchester Hospital. He is also assistant professor of medicine at the Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell