Protect yourself and your family from the flu

Published on October 17, 2022

Flu vaccines are an important step in protecting yourself, your family, and your community from a disease that affects thousands of people in the United States every year. Older adults, pregnant women, young adults, children, and people with other underlying health conditions are most at risk of getting the flu.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. There are other viruses that can cause these symptoms, but a high fever and bad cough usually indicate flu.

It takes two weeks after being immunized to be fully protected. The vaccine only keeps you fully protected for about one year, so it’s important to get vaccinated every year.

You can get flu shots at:

• Your primary doctor’s office
• Retail pharmacies and stores, with information and appointments available on MyTurn 
• View the free walk-in flu clinics from San Mateo County Health (no appointment needed) 
• Home-bound patients who need flu shots should call 1-800-675-8437

Getting a flu shot may not totally prevent the disease, but it can lessen its effects and minimize your chances of getting seriously ill and being hospitalized.