Flu Shots Clinic in Illinois

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals can administer your seasonal flu shot, typically via an injection in the arm muscle. This is crucial due to the virus’s ability to rapidly mutate and evolve and the potential for various influenza strains during each flu season.

Flu shots function by prompting your immune system to produce antibodies, proteins that can recognize and fight off the influenza virus. The vaccine contains deactivated or weakened influenza viruses, which will not cause the flu but will stimulate your body’s immune response.

Should you be exposed to the influenza virus post-vaccination, your immune system is prepared. The antibodies produced will recognize the virus, bind to its surface, and initiate a response, thereby reducing the severity of the infection if you do become infected.

While the flu shot can significantly lower your risk of contracting influenza and reduce the severity of symptoms if infected, it doesn’t offer 100% protection. We think that the best approach to protecting yourself and other people is to be vaccinated against the flu, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions. Additionally, it lessens the risk of flu-related hospital stays and deaths. Protect your health and those around you by scheduling your flu shot today.

We align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) strong recommendation for annual flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. However, we want to emphasize to our patients that certain groups are particularly susceptible to severe complications from the flu, including:

● Children younger than 5 years old: As their immune systems are still developing, these children are at a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization from the flu. It is highly recommended that they receive a vaccination.

● Adults aged 65 years and older: Our immune systems deteriorate with age, making it more difficult to fend off illnesses. The flu can be particularly severe for seniors, so we recommend annual vaccinations for this group.

● Pregnant women: Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy can make expectant mothers more prone to severe flu illness. Vaccination can also protect the baby after birth, as the mother passes on some immunity.

● Patients with chronic health conditions: Those with chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are at an increased risk of severe flu complications. We urge our patients with chronic conditions to receive their annual flu shot.

● Healthcare workers and those in contact with high-risk individuals: This includes not only our own staff but also any of our patients who live or work with high-risk individuals. Vaccination can decrease the risk of transmitting the virus.

● Household members of high-risk individuals: This group should be vaccinated to protect those who are unable to get vaccinated or who might not have a sufficient immunological response.

We also recommend the flu vaccination for those who travel frequently, military personnel, and residents of long-term care facilities, due to the high risk of rapid influenza transmission in these situations.

Choosing to get vaccinated early is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows ample time for your immune system to produce antibodies against multiple strains of the influenza virus. Secondly, it helps limit the spread of influenza in our community by reducing the number of susceptible individuals.

We pay particular attention to individuals at higher risk of severe influenza complications, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions, and encourage them to get vaccinated early. Children aged 6 months and older should receive two doses of the flu vaccine, separated by four weeks, for optimal protection. People with compromised immune systems could need more dosages or higher-dose vaccines.

We understand the seriousness of the flu, particularly among high-risk groups. Therefore, if you’re in frequent contact with people in these groups, we encourage you to get vaccinated. In addition to getting a flu shot, we encourage good hygiene practices, like washing your hands regularly, to prevent the spread of the flu.

Lastly, since different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people, and factors such as age, health status, and pregnancy can determine a person’s suitability for a vaccine, we advise you to consult with our healthcare providers before getting a flu shot. Our goal is to safeguard your health and welfare.

The flu shot’s effectiveness varies annually, influenced by factors such as the recipient’s age and health, the similarity between the vaccine strains and the circulating viruses, and the types and subtypes of influenza viruses prevalent during that year.

The flu vaccine we administer is designed to guard against three or four strains of influenza predicted to be widespread during the forthcoming flu season. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when the vaccine and circulating viruses are closely matched, the vaccination can lower the population’s overall risk of contracting the flu by 40% to 60%. Nonetheless, effectiveness can range from 40% to 80% depending on the year and the specific strain of the virus.

The flu shot offers significant benefits:

● Reduce Severity of Illness: The flu shot can make the illness milder in individuals who do get infected. It can also reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization.

● Protect Vulnerable Populations: For high-risk populations that are more prone to experiencing severe flu-related complications, such as small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses, the flu vaccination is especially crucial.

● Reduce Influenza-Related Deaths: Vaccination helps prevent flu-related deaths, especially among high-risk populations.

At Cermak and NewMed Immediate Care, we believe in the crucial role the flu vaccine plays in public health efforts to control the spread of influenza and strongly recommend it for all eligible patients. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Cicero IL, Chicago IL, Hoffman Estates IL, and Rolling Meadows IL.