Protect Yourself from the Flu: What You Need to Know from Blue KC Epidemiologist Odalis Hernandez
Why is it important to protect yourself from the flu?
According to the CDC, influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illnesses, including pneumonia, and at times, can lead to death. Even healthy people can get sick enough to miss work or school for a significant amount of time or even be hospitalized.
“When someone has the flu who is immunocompromised with a weakened immune system, it’s most catastrophic to them,” Blue KC Epidemiologist Odalis Hernandez said. “The flu flies under people’s radar before it’s too late.”
What exactly is the flu?
The CDC defines the flu as a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs.
“The flu is transferred from person to person very easily,” Hernandez said. “Everyday measures like washing your hands, covering your mouth or staying home if you’re sick are important practices for preventing the flu virus.”
- The CDC says flu symptoms usually happen suddenly and include:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
What is the best way to protect yourself from the flu?
- According to the CDC, flu vaccination decreases the chance of infection, lessens the severity of infection and can reduce the chance of hospitalization.
- Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu vaccine every season by the end of October.
- Hernandez says if people who are pregnant get the flu shot, they can relay that protection to keep their baby safe from the flu.
“One of the benefits of herd immunity is that the more people who are protected, that slows the transmission of that virus,” Hernandez said. “If you get the flu vaccine, you develop antibodies to recognize and neutralize the flu virus and help white blood cells fight the flu, decreasing the chances of passing it on to another person. If everyone in your family is vaccinated, that increases your opportunity to not getting sick. Protect your loved ones by doing your part!”
Is the flu vaccine safe?
“You can’t get the flu from getting the flu shot,” Hernandez said. “People might feel tired after they take it, but the vaccine doesn’t cause the flu.”
- According to the CDC, flu vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions of people for more than 50 years and have a very good safety track record.
“It’s extremely low risk for most people but high reward,” Hernandez said. “If you’re unsure or worried about needles, this is a good chance to talk to your provider. Most people say the temporary pain and a lollipop after are better than being sick for a week or staying home for the holidays.”
Who is at increased risk of flu complications?
Some people are at higher risk of developing serious complications from flu, including:
- People with chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
- People with heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
- People with asthma
- People with diabetes
- People with hypertension (high blood pressure)
- People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or higher
- Adults 65 years and older
“CDC estimates from the 2024-2025 flu season showed that vaccination cut the risk of flu-related hospital stays in adults 65 and older by about half,” Hernandez said. “If I know someone who could benefit, I love those odds and being able to help those people.”
Learn more about the flu from Kansas city Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bobby Bell
Where can people get the flu shot?
Most health care insurance plans cover the annual flu vaccination as preventive care. Flu vaccination is often available at no or low cost to people who do not have insurance.
Where you can go:
- Spira Care (For Blue KC members with exclusive access to Spira Care; no appointment needed for flu shots between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)
- In-network primary care providers (Go to MyBlueKC.com and click Find Care in the left column)
- In-network retail health clinics (Many pharmacies and retail stores have clinics that offer flu vaccines)
- Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)-supported health centers
- Employers, schools and community organizations
“There are a lot of great options that make the flu shot accessible for folks,” Hernandez said. “I know I am going to go to the pharmacy at some point. You can just hop on a pharmacy’s website and schedule an appointment. Even grocery stores have pharmacies!”
Odalis Hernandez, MPH, is the Community Health Epidemiologist at Blue KC. She earned her Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis, where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health Sciences. Odalis is passionate about using data to advance health equity and empower communities to achieve their best possible health.
Source: CDC
