You will live longer if you get your flu shot.
That's according to the Medical Officer of Health in Chatham-Kent, who cites studies done over the past three years.
Dr. David Colby said getting the flu shot not only protects the public against influenza but lowers mortality rates by lowering the rate of heart attacks and strokes along with new cases of diabetes.
"You can actually measure a difference in mortality. People that have the flu shot on average live longer than people that don't," said Colby, adding that getting infected by the flu causes inflammation that can be deadly. "A sudden increase in the inflammatory response in your body somehow triggers these adverse consequences that in themselves can be fatal."
Colby said the flu shot is free, safe, and easy to do and will benefit everyone around you this flu season.
"Get out there and take advantage of this wonderful program and protect not only yourself but vulnerable people that you're in contact with because if you get your flu shot they won't be getting influenza from you," Colby said.
Influenza is usually a sudden onset of fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches. It can be fatal for elderly people and those with heart conditions.
Colby said there haven't been many signs of the flu yet in Chatham-Kent but it's early and he added the health unit and local hospitals are ready if and when it hits. Last year's flu season across Chatham-Kent was relatively mild but Dr. Colby said it's difficult to predict if this year it will be severe or not.
He also said it's difficult to say at this point if this year's flu shot is a good match for the flu strain. He'll have a better idea of how it's working by the end of next month.
The province has ordered more flu vaccine this year compared to other years.