Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) recently provided 525 employees with free flu vaccines at Blue Cross Centre.

Think Whole Person Health Care personnel, including Pharmacy Manager Jennifer Krobot, administered the vaccines.

BCBSNE provides free vaccines onsite for employees annually. Krobot recommends getting the vaccine between the end of September and beginning of October for it to be most effective.

“Influenza is not a fun thing for anyone to experience,” Krobot said. “We want to try to prevent anyone from suffering, whether it’s a child or an elderly person.”

Everyone aged 6 months and older should get vaccinated unless they are allergic or have another rare exception, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sarah Emanuel, BCBSNE wellness services manager, received her flu shot at BCC this year. Emanuel gets vaccinated every year.

“I think it’s important for your own health and the health of the community you’re in.”

Getting vaccinated yourself does, in fact, protect the health of others who are more vulnerable, such as babies, young children, older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions, according to the CDC.

Besides prevention, the flu vaccine provides additional benefits and can:

  • Reduce the severity of illness if you received the vaccine but still get sick.
  • Protect women during and after pregnancy.
  • Be life-saving in children.
  • Reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children and adults.

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