Flu Vaccine - In Stock
H1N1 Vaccine - In Stock

Why Do I Need A Flu Shot?

Each year in the United States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three flu viruses research indicates will be most common. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a flu virus that is related to those in the vaccine.

The CDC recommends that the following groups get a flu vaccine this season:

• Children aged 6 months through 18 years
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Is It Safe To Get A Flu Shot If I'm Pregnant?
The CDC recommends that women who will be pregnant during influenza season get flu shots. The flu season in North America usually peaks from November to March. Flu shots are made from killed (inactivated) influenza virus, making it safe during any stage of pregnancy.

Pregnancy can affect your immune system and can also put extra stress on your heart and lungs. As a result of this extra stress, you may be at increased risk of not only getting the flu, but of developing serious complications from the flu, including pneumonia. In addition, pregnant women who become ill with the flu are far more likely to require hospitalization for flu complications than are women who are not pregnant and come down with the flu.

What Should I Know About H1N1?
The H1N1 strain (commonly known as "swine flu") is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The CDC has determined that 2009 H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against the new H1N1 flu (swine flu). This new H1N1 virus is very different from the seasonal viruses in the seasonal flu vaccine. A vaccine against the new H1N1 virus has been produced and will be available as an option for people at high risk of serious complications from infection with the new H1N1 virus.

The CDC recommends that the following groups get a H1N1 vaccine this season:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
• People who are 25 through 64 years of age and have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

How Do I Get A Flu Shot?
To get your flu vaccine at SFM, just drop in at any of the following
locations:

Hartland  3908 10th St SE, Puyallup
7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday

Bonney Lake  19820 Hwy 410 E, Bonney Lake
8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Sunrise  11216 Sunrise Blvd E, Puyallup
8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

We expect that we will have an adequate supply of flu vaccine for all of our patients who need it. However, we suggest that you come in early so that you will be protected for the whole flu season.

Come on in and protect yourself and your family, today!