Prevention is better than cure! The flu vaccine will reduce the risk of catching flu and spreading it to other people. It’s more effective if the individual gets their vaccine before the start of the flu season.

It’s important to have the vaccine every year as the antibodies (proteins that recognise and fight off germs e.g. viruses that have attacked the body) protecting from the flu, will change every year. People assume they are protected this year as they had the vaccine the year before.

So how does the vaccine actually work in the body?

• The flu vaccine will stimulate the body’s immune system to start producing antibodies designed to fight off germs in the blood.
• If anyone is exposed to the flu virus after having their vaccination, their immune system will recognise the virus and produce antibodies to fight it off
• It can take a person from 10-14 days for the immunity to fully build up after having their vaccination. There are lots of myths associated with the flu and the flu vaccine so it’s good to be aware of them so you can pass the information onto your customers.

There are lots of myths associated with the flu and the flu vaccine so it’s good to be aware of them so you can pass the information onto your customers. Read further on myths and facts of flu.