It may not be on your to-do list yet, but now is the best time to make sure you and your family are prepared for flu season. Because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your immune system to build protection, getting your flu shot before flu activity increases can help ensure you are protected when you need it most.
Getting a flu shot is a personal choice, but the CDC and other leading medical organizations recommend an annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
While the flu vaccine cannot guarantee that you won’t get the flu, research shows that vaccination can reduce both the risk of infection requiring medical care and the likelihood of serious illness.
A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that during the 2022–2023 flu season, vaccination reduced flu-related emergency department and urgent care visits by nearly half and hospitalizations by more than a third among U.S. adults.
The National Council on Aging also cites research finding that, among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccination was associated with a 26% lower risk of ICU admission and a 31% lower risk of death.
In Michigan, flu activity typically increases in the fall and often peaks between December and February. Getting vaccinated between late September and early November gives your body time to develop protection before flu season is in full swing.
Lakes Urgent Care offers the trivalent flu vaccine, as well as the high-dose flu vaccine recommended for adults 65 and older. We can also help you stay up to date on other vaccines you or your family may need.
Flu vaccines are covered by most health care insurances and are available at both Lakes Urgent Care locations in Livonia and West Bloomfield. No appointment is necessary.
If you do become ill Lakes urgent care also offers point of service or immediate Flu, Covid, RSV testing. Please drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly and get your rest. Lakes Urgent Care is open daily until 10 p.m., and weekends and holidays until 6 p.m.