“I would love for everyone to take one minute to get a flu shot.”

That’s the important message that Carolyn Link, president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation is on a mission to share this year. And based on her energy around its importance, it’s likely a message she’ll be sharing for years to come.

“There is no simpler step you can take to protect your own health and the whole community!” she says, pointing to the band-aid on her arm following her own flu shot, which she had just received onsite at Blue Cross.

She only half-jokingly says, “I’m calling our onsite clinics ‘Blue verses the flu!’ and I’m making sure everyone I know gets on board!”

Carolyn has good reason to be fired up about the importance of flu vaccination. Last year her 26-year-old niece, who has cystic fibrosis, was hospitalized for three weeks with a life-threatening bout of influenza.

“Maddie spends hours each day caring for her health, doing airway clearance, self-administering IV antibiotics, taking fistfuls of medication,” Carolyn says.

For people like Maddie, the flu isn’t just a nasty virus that leaves you on the couch for a week or two; it is life-threatening.

“She was terribly sick,” Carolyn said, noting that Maddie’s three-week inpatient hospital stay cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, left her out of work for two months and forced her to drop out of grad school for the semester. She also spent 100 days on IV antibiotics, including during her hospital stay and in-home infusion.

Your flu shot protects your family and your community

When it comes to why getting a flu shot matters, Dr. Mark Steffen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota chief medical officer, points out that the flu is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

Additionally, he calls out the importance of what is often referred to as “herd immunity,” which simply means getting the flu vaccine can also protect help protect those around you.

“We all have an important role to play in preventing the spread of the flu. One of the easiest steps you can take is to get your flu shot,” Dr. Steffen says. “If we act as a collective, we will all be more successful together.”

Dr. Steffen notes that there are certain groups that are more vulnerable to serious consequences of the flu. So, each person who takes the time to get a flu shot is protecting not just themselves and their families— but their vulnerable neighbors, too.

“The elderly, the very young, people with respiratory conditions or poor immunity all are at higher risk,” he says, referencing that a full list of those most vulnerable is available on the influenza page of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)  website.

“Unvaccinated people who contract and spread the flu to vulnerable people, may never know the cascade of havoc, illness, cost, heartache and even death that follows,” Carolyn says.

It’s easy to get a flu shot

As flu season is already upon us, there are now plenty of options to get a flu shot. While you can schedule an appointment with a clinic near you, there are many pharmacies and retail clinics that offer flu shots with walk-up appointments. Flu shots are generally covered by insurance (though you should check your policy to confirm your coverage.)

And finally, don’t forget to care for your full family when it comes to getting vaccinated.

“Make sure to schedule an appointment for you, your spouse or partner and your kids, if you have them,” Dr. Steffen says. “Getting everyone protected will help ensure we all have a healthy flu season.”