Benefit Health System offers free flu shot vaccine clinics to community members before and during flu season. Convenient flu Clinics are offered weekly at both Benefit Hospital East and Benefit Hospital West.
Why Should I get the Flu Vaccine?
Get a flu shot to protect yourself, your loved ones and others! A flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your chance of getting influenza, a serious disease that can make you sick and could lead to hospitalization or death. The more people who are vaccinated against the flu, the less flu can spread throughout our community.
Who Should Get Vaccinated Against the Flu?
In general, everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine each flu season. It is especially important for the following groups to get vaccinated:
- Those at high risk for developing complications (like pneumonia) if they get the flu, including people with asthma, diabetes, or chronic long disease, pregnant women, and people age 65 and older.
- People who live with or care for individuals who are at high risk for developing serious complication if they get the flu.
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated Against the Flu?
People in the following groups should not get a flu vaccine without consulting a physician.
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group).
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated).
- People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome, a severe paralytic illness sometimes called GBS).
