Flu Shot

Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care provides numerous vaccinations, including flu shots. No appointments are necessary to receive a flu shot at our clinic. If you’d like to receive a flu shot, simply come in for a walk in appointment.

What is the Flu?

“The flu” is the common name for the illness caused caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses affect the respiratory system (the nose, throat, and/or lungs) and influenza viral infection is contagious. While the flu infects the respiratory system, it can cause both localized and full body symptoms. Some common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, cough, a sore throat, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Influenza affects a substantial portion of the population each year. In the United States, millions of people come down with the flu yearly. While you can catch the flu at any time of year, this type of viral infection is much more common around the winter months. The period in which the flu is most prevalent is known as flu season. The typical flu season lasts from November to March.

What is a Flu Shot?

A flu shot is a vaccination that can help the body protect against catching the flu. Flu shots, like other types of vaccinations, contain a small amount of a virus. When a small amount of
influenza virus is administered within a flu shot, it causes the body to create antibodies that help the immune system protect the body from catching the flu. It takes the body around 2 weeks to create these antibodies, so it takes around 2 weeks for a flu shot to become effective.

There are three common strains of flu viruses: H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B. Traditional flu shots are designed to protect against all three of these common influenza viruses.

Flu shots are seasonal vaccinations. Each year, different types of flu viruses can be more prevalent than others. Each year’s flu shot will protect against the influenza viruses that
researchers project will be most prevalent during that year’s upcoming flu season.

When should I get a Flu Shot?

Flu shots for the upcoming flu season are generally available beginning mid-year. Many physicians recommend getting a flu shot in October, before flu season begins in November.
Since it takes around 2 weeks for the body to create antibodies, many doctors recommend not waiting until later in flu season to seek this vaccine.

Generally, however, most physicians agree that getting a flu shot earlier or later than in October is better than abstaining from getting a flu shot altogether. Flu shots are the most effective way to protect against influenza viruses. While the flu can have mild to moderate symptoms, it can also cause severe symptoms that result in either hospitalization or death.

Can the Flu Shot cause the Flu?

No. Contrary to what some may say, a flu shot cannot cause the flu. Flu shots contain either inactivated (killed) flu viruses or single genes of influenza viruses, neither or which can cause
the flu.