Health professionals urge community to get flu vaccines
October 06, 2025
As flu season approaches, healthcare providers are urging the public to get the flu shot.
At the top of the list: vaccination.
Many people have the misconception that flu shots give you the flu. However, these symptoms are simply normal signs of the body responding to the vaccine.
In fact, flu shots produce antibodies that protect you from getting the actual flu.
Dr. Jeffrey Gray, Chief Medical Officer of UHS Hospitals, said it's particularly important for healthy adults to get vaccinated, as they can pass the flu on to people who are not healthy.
People should ideally get their vaccines by October, as this allows enough time to build protection before flu viruses begin to spread during the winter months.
“The biggest issues that happen with the flu coming into our area — depending on how old you are and what your underlying medical problems are — will determine whether you just get sick, or actually end up in the hospital. And frankly, there’s a large number of people who end up dying from the flu," Dr. Gray said.