Flu Shots

What Are Flu Shots?

Today, more than ever, it’s easy to see the frightening power of viruses. Fortunately, there’s an easily accessible vaccine for influenza, the virus that causes up to 45 million illnesses in the United States every year. At Sellwood Medical Clinic with four locations in the greater metro Portland, Oregon, the dedicated team of medical specialists makes getting the flu vaccination easier than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a flu shot?

Yes, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for everyone starting at 6 months old. In extremely rare circumstances, certain individuals don’t need a flu shot, but this is generally confined to those with potentially fatal allergies to the flu vaccine.

An annual flu vaccination is a potentially life-saving measure that you can easily access, so it makes sense to protect yourself to the maximum degree possible.

What does the flu vaccine protect me from?

The flu vaccine is different every year because influenza occurs in many strains.

The vaccine is always formulated to fight the three or four strains of influenza that research predicts as the most common in the US during a particular flu season.

Does the flu vaccine fight COVID-19?

No, because influenza and COVID-19 are two entirely different types of viruses.

When a COVID-19 vaccine is available, that vaccine will protect only against COVID-19, so you’ll need to continue with yearly flu shots as well.

Could you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?

Yes, you could potentially develop COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. The CDC predicts that both viruses will spread in the fall and winter months.

Because of this, getting your flu shot is more essential than ever this year.

When is the best time to get flu shots?

The months of September and October are the ideal times to get a flu shot, as that’s when the virus starts circulating. Sellwood Medical Clinic starts the drive-thru flu shots clinic on Saturday, August 29th, and continues with weekly clinics every Saturday until they run out of flu vaccines.