Go ahead, get shot

It's that time of year to get your flu shot, and possibly help save the life of a person vulnerable to life-threatening illness through the flu. It saves money by preventing work-place absences and medical expenses. It's a community good. And yeah, you could save the life of someone vulnerable that you could otherwise unwittingly infect. Or, someone could save you.

Here are a few facts to encourage you:

You cannot get the flu from the vaccine because the virus in it is dead. (Because the vaccination revs up your immune system you might feel a little tired briefly.)

Every year about 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of influenza-related illness.

Each year about 36,000 Americans die from the flu.

Generally, you are contagious with the flu for a day before you show any symptoms of it, and for about five more days after that.

The best way to avoid getting sick is to get the vaccination.

You can still get the vaccine in December or later. Flu season lasts until May.

A flu shot is covered by Medicare.