Did you ride in a car today?

Did you wear your seatbelt?

Did you get into a motor vehicle collision?

Does that mean you shouldn’t wear your seatbelt?

What does a seatbelt have to do with the flu?

I suspect that everyone reading this has been made aware, over and over again, the importance of getting a flu shot. The fact that I am compelled to share this should tell you that not everyone gets a flu shot. Let me share some scary facts with you in an attempt to get your attention.

In the Great State of Texas between 200-500 people die each WEEK from influenza and pneumonia during the flu season.

18,000 people were hospitalized for the flu last year.

About 200 San Antonian’s will be admitted to a hospital this year for Flu and pneumonia.

Okay, now the good news.

You can NOT get the flu from the flu shot. No way, no how, no exceptions.

Almost EVERYONE aged 6 months and older can get the flu shot.

Even in years when the flu shot is not as effective as in most years, getting a flu shot every year reduces your risk of serious illness from the flu.

How does this have anything to do with seatbelts? Seatbelt use is something simple and easy to do that dramatically reduces your chance of injury when done consistently. Getting a flu shot is simple and easy to do and dramatically reduces your chance of severe related illness.

This year the flu has not yet started to explode in San Antonio. Influenza usually starts to peak in early December. Even though it takes a few weeks for the flu shot to generate the protective response in your body, it is not too late to get the flu shot.

One last blatant attempt to manipulate you into getting a flu shot; If everyone in a community got the flu shot, that would reduce the overall number of carriers and would reduce the number of exposures that at risk people would experience. In other words, even if you don’t do it for yourself, do it for the grandparents, babies and those with pre-existing illnesses in all our families.