Be Prepared, Be Protected:
Get Flu Vaccination at FirstMed
Guard yourself and your loved ones against the flu. Getting the flu shot is a small act with a significant impact.
Be Prepared, Be Protected:
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral disease that’s more than just a severe cold. It hits swiftly, causing fever, runny nose, cough, and headache. You might also experience malaise, muscle pain, and nose and respiratory tract inflammation. Complications can lead to serious health problems.
At FirstMed, we understand that these can be daunting, but there’s a powerful tool at our disposal – the flu shot.
How to get a flu shot at FirstMed in Budapest?
Book an Appointment
Register for the flu shot below. We will contact you soon to schedule your appointment.
Pay Online
Choose the relevant vaccination and prepay the visit online through our webshop.
Come to the Clinic
Our clinic is 3 minutes away from Széll Kálmán tér metro station.
See a Doctor
Little children between 6 months to 14 years old must see a pediatrician. In specific cases (e.g., pregnancy), adults should also consult a doctor before getting vaccinated.
Take the Flu Shot
Taking a flu shot needs only a 15-minute visit
or a 30-minute appointment if it includes a doctor's consultation.
Essential Information about Flu Vaccination
What are the benefits of flu vaccination?
Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and the people around you. It reduces the risk of being infected and minimizes the chance of severe complications caused by influenza viruses. Vaccination has several benefits:
- Protection against illness: The flu vaccine is the most efficient defense against influenza, reducing the probability of contracting the flu by 40-60%.
- Reduce severity: In cases where you contract the flu despite vaccination, the symptoms may be less severe, leading to a swifter recovery.
- Preventing hospitalization: By reducing the severity of the illness, the vaccination lowers the risk of getting into the hospital.
- Safeguarding the vulnerable: Protect those at higher risk of complications, like the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.
- Avoid sick leave: If vaccinated, you are less likely to require sick days for flu-related illnesses.
- Economic reasons: Save the money spent on medicines in connection with a possible illness.
While individual benefits are noteworthy, by getting vaccinated you also care for others. Every vaccination counts when it comes to shielding ourselves and those around us.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Everyone aged six months and older is advised to get the shot. It’s a preventative measure we can all take to protect our health. The annual flu vaccine is particularly important for certain groups:
- If you or your family members are at high risk: expectant mothers, parents of an infant under 6 months, older adults (over 60 years), or people with chronic health conditions (such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases) vaccination becomes all the more significant.
- Children are exposed to flu in different environments, such as school or extracurricular activities. Read more about the benefits of flu vaccination for children in our blog.
- Do you work in a crowded environment or share air and space with many colleagues? Getting vaccinated is a particularly smart move—it helps protect you and your coworkers.
- Lastly, if you're planning a long journey by bus, train, or plane, consider the flu vaccine your travel buddy. In close quarters, a little foresight goes a long way in keeping you and your fellow passengers safe.
Don’t wait for the flu to knock you out. Take a proactive approach to your health, and safeguard others.
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
The influenza vaccination is the most effective if you get it early in the flu season—by October or November. But don’t worry if you didn’t manage to take your shot then; getting one later during that season can still prevent the infection.
Why is it necessary to get the flu shot every year?
Remember, the flu vaccination isn’t just “one and done.” The virus changes constantly, and the vaccines are regularly updated based on WHO’s recommendations. At FirstMed, we’re here to provide you with the latest, most effective flu vaccine.
The most recent vaccination defends from the anticipated strains of the influenza virus. At our clinic, the Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine is available (the updated version from late October 2023). It protects from four different influenza A and B virus strains (type A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1), A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2) and B/Austria/1359417/2021, and B/Phuket/3073/2013).
Young children between 2-18 years may get Fluenz Tetra nasal spray, which avoids uncomfortable needle pricks and is no different in efficacy from the injectable vaccine. This vaccine is not suitable for all children and should only be given with the approval of a pediatrician.
For the best protection, renew the flu shot annually.
All set for your next flu shot? Fill in the form below to register. We’ll reach out to schedule your appointment as soon as the new vaccine arrives at our clinic.
Should you visit a doctor before getting the flu vaccine?
For adults, generally, it is not compulsory to see a physician before vaccination. However, consulting with a healthcare professional helps determine the safest and most effective approach. There could be some cases when visiting a doctor is inevitable.
Assessing your health status: Everyone’s health situation is unique and may affect how they respond to the flu vaccine. Some health conditions, such as immunity disorders, pregnancy, or certain chronic diseases, make a conversation with a physician necessary before getting vaccinated.
Discussing potential side effects: While the flu vaccine is generally safe, it’s still essential to be aware of potential side effects or adverse reactions that might occur after vaccination. This can also include understanding the risks of not getting vaccinated.
Know the vaccine: Talking to a doctor can help clarify what the vaccine does, how it works, and why it’s recommended to get one every year. Our physicians can also advise whether the flu vaccine is suitable for you.
Additionally, for babies and children (between 6 months and 14 years old), it is required to visit a pediatrician for flu shots. Our pediatricians offer comprehensive care as they assess your child’s general health – including age, growth, and development – while providing tailored advice on vaccinations.
Who should not get the flu shot?
We understand the importance of vaccination, but there are certain circumstances where caution is necessary. The flu shot should be avoided in some situations:
- Children younger than six months of age are too young to get a flu shot.
- In case of allergy to eggs, chicken, neomycin, or formaldehyde. These ingredients are sometimes present in flu vaccines.
- If you are experiencing a fever, upper respiratory infection, or acute infectious disease, you can be vaccinated only after recovery.
- Having had a severe reaction to the flu shot in the past.
- You have a history of Guillain Barre Syndrome.
At FirstMed, our patient’s health and well-being is our top priority. If you (or your child) fall into any of the above categories, we are unable to administer an influenza vaccination.
How safe is the flu vaccine?
Vaccines are completely safe; some of their groups can also be used during pregnancy and are even recommended! The vaccine cannot cause illness since it does not introduce the pathogen into the body, but only those components that the immune system can recognize, and thus strengthens its resistance.
Remember, at FirstMed, we’re here to help. Give us a call if you have questions or need guidance. Your health, and the health of our community, is our shared responsibility.
Request Flu Vaccination
Fill in the form below, and our phone nurses will contact you to schedule an appointment.
After submitting the form, you will get a confirmation by email, and a “Thank you” page will appear.
If you do not receive the confirmation, please check your spam folder and whether you’ve fully completed the form.
