To be a successful freelancer or self-employed businessperson, you need to maximize your productivity.
Now think back to the last time you had the flu:
How did you feel? Like crap?
And how much quality work did you get done? Like none?
You need to get a flu shot, and you need to get it as soon as you practically can. A healthy freelancer is a productive freelancer.
5 Reasons to Get the Flu Shot Now
1. The Obvious: You Don’t Get Much Done When You’re Drop-Dead Sick
The weakness and body ache that accompanies the high fever will likely keep you from getting anything significant done for your business for several days, and perhaps much longer, even up to two to three weeks. How much money will that cost you?
2. Speaking of Dropping Dead, The Stats…
Every year thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, of people die from the flu and related causes. Tens of millions get sick, and many thousands require hospitalization.
3. If You Don’t Have the Flu, You Don’t Spread the Flu
You have a moral obligation to get a flu shot — you will help prevent the spread of the disease. Look at those stats again. Think about all the lost productivity, all the health care costs, and, yes, all the lives lost.
And note that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that nearly everyone over the age of six months should get the influenza/flu vaccination.
4. Protect Yourself Against New Flu Strains Down the Road
Flu vaccines typically protect you against the projected three to four most likely strains for the upcoming season. However, there are many, many strains that can potentially pop up. Getting vaccinated now may prevent you from getting the flu in later years because your immune system will have the ability to respond to strains that are the same or similar to those included in this year’s vaccination.
5. Being Sick Sucks
You aren’t going to enjoy life much if you feel lousy. For me, enjoying life is my #1 reason for being alive.
4 Places to Get Flu Shots
In most years there is plenty of vaccine, so pick the easiest/cheapest of these options (call ahead first):
- Your doctor or HMO likely has the vaccine and can have a nurse do the deed.
- Your city or county public health office likely has it, and it might even be free. Many local governments schedule mass inoculation events where you can literally drive up and sit in your car.
- Most drug stores.
- Local for-profit and non-profit private health clinics.
I just got my shot at Rite Aid here in Ashland, Oregon: free with my Obamacare health insurance. Easy-peasy.
For more info, read the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s influenza/flu information.
What About You?
Did you get your flu shot yet? If not, when you gonna do it? Your take on the shots, pro and con?
Laura Spencer says
Good points John. I get one every year. I can’t afford the time or cost of being sick. Mostly, it works. One year, I did get a mild case of the flu despite having had the flu shot. Most other years, though, I’ve managed to avoid the flu.
John Soares says
The flu shot contains the strains that researchers think will be most prevalent in the upcoming flu season. Sometimes they miscalculate, though, so it’s still possible to get the flu.
Emily Fowler says
You’ve actually just reminded me to remind my boyfriend John, so thank you! He’s entitled to get the ‘flu jab’ every year because he has severe asthma, but I usually have to give him a nudge ;o) I’m not even sure if I’m able to get it as I don’t fall into one of the ‘at risk’ categories (I’m in the UK), but I’ll have to check that out.
I used to get colds regularly and flu occasionally, but had labrynthitis last year, which had me out of action for nearly two weeks and can apparently re-occur if I get a cold or flu – for that reason I started taking selenium with zinc, and (touch wood) I haven’t even had a sniffle since!
John Soares says
Emily, if the National Health Service won’t pay for it, you should strongly consider paying out of your own pocket to get the shot elsewhere. Here in the States everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot.
Cheryl says
I rarely get sick. When I was a kid it bothered me when I was in school that all the other kids got the flu and stayed home and I had to go to classes.
Where I live flu shots are $10 and at most of the places you mentioned. Some people like seniors get free shots. The province runs most of the extended care facilities and at some point in the fall a notice will go up in lobbies that visitors must have flu shots or wear a face mask. It’s on the honor system, they have no way to prove if someone is lying about getting a flu shot. I chose the path of least resistance and got the flu shot while my father was still a resident, and it was free due to being a person who regularly visits a health care facility.
Staff also had to have a flu shot or wear a face mask while on duty.
But even though you have valid reasons to get one, I only get a flu shot if I absolutely have to, and as you can see my reason has nothing to do with worrying about getting sick!
John Soares says
Cheryl, I’m glad you got the flu shot when you were visiting your father in the extended care facility. Seniors are especially vulnerable to the flu; they account for a high percentage of flu deaths.
Jake Poinier says
Being sick does suck. I wish there were something we could do about the common cold! I caught one in the airport or on the plane back from a conference in New York last week. I got on top of it quickly with Zicam, but it still took my productivity down a couple of notches. Feeling better today, so it’s time to hammer!
Claire Greenhow says
Thank you for reminding me. I must call the GP and book my flu jab next week.
Theglobalassociates says
Hi John,
Thanks for Healthy points.
I get one every year. It bothered me alot in childhood.
Ava Jarvis says
If you’re like me and have suffered pneumonia, you’re susceptible to getting it again. I’ve had pneumonia three times, and it’s even worse than the flu that proceeds it, each time landing me in the hospital. Once they even talked about helicoptering me to a hospital from the island I live on, it was that bad.
And of course the flu shot every year.
John Soares says
Ava, I’m glad the pneumonia vaccine is helping you. I always get recommended vaccines.
Hammo says
Great Reminder John.
Previously I worked as contractor and didn’t get paid for my time off and now I’m self-employed it’s even more important.
I do find eating well and exercising helps, but so does not hanging around sick people like in an office environment.
John Soares says
It’s very important to avoid sick people! I’ll move to another table if someone at a coffee shop is obviously sick.
Jennifer Wright says
Oddly enough, I’ve only had the flu twice in the past 10 or so years…weeks before one of those 2 bouts I had the only flu shot I’ve gotten in a decade. I worked in healthcare for a long while (for a manufacturer of flu vaccines nonetheless) and just never was convinced it was the best idea. My last flu was rather miserable, but I was still able to sit on the couch and blog. The hard part was when the kids came home! 🙂
Steve says
Good Points are mentioned here, as a self employed freelancer or owner of small business, its important to keep healthy and fit. Making time for fitness and exercise is tough sometimes, but i think getting a flu shot is rather easy.