May is Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of these communities.
08.15.17
In just a few weeks, trips to the beach will come to a halt, the kids will go back to school and those warm, sunny days will become just fleeting memories. But the cooler weather doesn't only signify the end of summer, it also marks the start of flu season.
This year, we are specifically working to dispel the many myths surrounding the flu vaccine. Do you know what's fact and what's fiction when it comes to the flu shot? Read through some of these common myths and learn why getting the yearly vaccine can significantly reduce your chances of catching the virus:
It’s impossible. The virus in the injection is dead. If you start feeling poorly after receiving the vaccine, you’re either having a reaction or you’ve caught a different bug altogether.
Your arm might be a little sore. You may feel a bit tired. But most people don’t experience more than a little discomfort, and it typically only lasts a day or two.
While it’s true that seniors, infants and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk for developing complications due to the flu, EVERYBODY (6 months and older) should get the vaccine.
It’s true—flu vaccines contain teeny, tiny amounts of egg protein but typically not enough to cause a reaction. Don’t let an egg allergy stop you from getting the vaccine.
If you have a high fever, you should definitely wait until you’re feeling better but a slight case of the sniffles shouldn’t stop you from getting a vaccine.
Wrong. The virus is always mutating, and in turn, so is the vaccine. Scientists decide which strain to target each season. Just because you got a shot last year doesn’t mean you’ll be protected this year.
The vaccine isn’t guaranteed to prevent the flu 100% of the time, but it greatly reduces the chance of contracting the virus in healthy people and it could save your life!
Please share this information with your family and friends—you could help save a life! And as always, we encourage each of you to get your shot as early as possible to keep yourselves, our clients and the greater community safe from the flu.
May is Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of these communities.
Gregory Rogers is a Senior Community Health Worker (CHW) with years of experience in addiction counseling. A vital part of a client’s care team, CHWs work with clients to navigate care both in the clinic and out in the community. See how Greg spends his days!
An artist, gamer, and movie lover, Curtis McLaughlin has been part of the Health Care for the Homeless Art Group for more than five years. Get to know Curtis in the lasted edition of "Pass the Mic".
Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.