Reasons To Get Flu Shot

It's flu shot time again but this year there are a couple of very good reasons to get it.

I don't think it's anything any of us look forward to, and lately it's been a little controversial, but now there are two more great reasons to get the flu shot every year.

For children---researchers found that last year those getting the H1N1 “swine” flu not only ended up getting hospitalized more often than those with the regular flu but these children also ended up having seizures more often. This year the CDC is recommending shots for all children 6 months and older. The vaccine now contains protection for both the H1N1 swine flu and the regular flu in one shot instead of two like last year.

But it's not just kids benefiting from the flu shot. A separate study found that for middle age and older adults, the flu vaccine seemed to protect them from heart attacks. And surprisingly, the earlier in the season adults got their shot last year, the less chance they had of having a heart attack. Experts think part of the reason is because the vaccine protects adults from an inflammation brought on by the flu that can affect the heart.

So if you were looking for a good reason to get the flu shot this year you now have two very good ones.