DOH_FluCampaign

Flu shots mean more quality time and less sick time.

Getting a flu shot keeps your family safe so you can spend more time together and less with the flu.

Find a Flu Shot Near You

What are signs of the flu?

How effective is it?

Is a flu shot right for me?

In 2023–2024, the CDC estimates the flu vaccine prevented:

What is the flu?

Influenza (or the flu, for short) is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. The flu is not the same as a stomach bug which may cause nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.

Headache

Sore throat

Fever

Fatigue

Runny or Stuffy Nose

Cough

Body Aches

Common Flu Symptoms:

But a shot can help prevent or lessen it.

Flu shots are available throughout peak flu season (usually October through March) to help your body fight back. Studies show a flu shot can reduce your risk of getting sick by up to 60%. Plus it helps you protect your loved ones — especially younger or older individuals. By getting your flu shot, you can spend more time enjoying life and less time in bed.

The

flu

fun

Getting your flu shot means:

Memories

Laughs

Holidays

Walks

Family Dinners

Movie Nights

Hugs

Smiles

Vacations

Nights Out

9.8 million

flu-related illnesses

hospitalizations

120,000

medical visits

4.8 million

deaths

7,900

FLU VACCINES

CHILDHOOD VACCINES

Find a Provider

Vaccines train your immune system, helping your body learn how to defend itself from diseases. By staying on schedule with life-saving childhood vaccines, you can keep your kids healthy for fewer sick days and more vacation days.

Vaccines help your kids enjoy every moment.

Get the Facts

Vaccination schedules are created by experts to prioritize safety, and each shot plays an important role in protecting your children — and the public — from life-threatening diseases.

Vaccine Schedules & Resources

Vaccine Schedule

Despite these eye-opening numbers, only 69% of parents consider it "very" or "extremely" important to vaccinate their children — down from 94% in 2001. In South Dakota, vaccination rates for several illnesses have fallen to historic lows. Nearly 10% of young children in South Dakota are not vaccinated against measles, and only 64% of South Dakota children have received all recommended vaccines by age 2 (40th out of 50 states).

Childhood Vaccines

Measels causes a high fever, rash, cough and can lead to serious complications or even death, especially in young children or immunocompromised populations. Mumps is a painful infection that affects the salivary gland, and rubella causes a mild rash which can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)

Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death. Pertussis can make it difficult for infants to eat, drink or breathe. Tetanus attacks the central nervous system and can cause muscle spasms severe enough to fracture bones.

Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP)

Regular immunizations for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can help prevent sickness, serious illness, hospitalization and death.

RSV, COVID & Flu

Polio can cause severe paralysis, affecting the nerves in the spinal cord and brain stem. Although polio was eradicated for decades, new cases are now popping up around the globe. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through vaccination.

Polio

The risks that come with getting a disease or illness far outweigh the risks of getting vaccinated for it. But for a community to have herd immunity, where enough people are immune to a disease so that it can't spread, 95% of children must be vaccinated against an illness. Be part of the solution and stay up to date on vaccines — not just for your family, but the families around you.

Herd Immunity Helps Keep us Safe.

100 MILLION

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDHOOD VACCINES?

Let's Talk.

Vaccines train your immune system, helping your body learn how to defend itself from diseases without the dangers of infection. Vaccines do not make you sick, cause the disease or put you at risk of its symptoms and complications.

What do vaccines do?

Vaccines are studied through a long, strict system of tests before being approved for use. They have helped us eliminate or nearly eliminate serious illnesses and are received by millions of people each year. The most dangerous thing? Leaving your family susceptible to life-threatening diseases like measles, polio or meningitis.

Vaccines help your body defend itself from diseases without the dangers of infection. Vaccines do not make you sick, cause the disease or put you at risk of its symptoms and complications.

Common questions

Are vaccines safe?

Common Questions

Do vaccines make you sick?

Common Questions

Scientific studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. Possible short-term side effects of vaccines can include soreness, fatigue and dizziness. As for long-term side effects? More birthdays, vacation days and quality time for making memories.

Do vaccines cause autism or other conditions or disorders?

Common Questions

Because of medical advancements, we've been able to develop vaccines against more diseases and gain a better understanding of how children's immune systems work. The current recommended schedule protects your child by giving them vaccines at specific times when their bodies will respond best, ensuring they build long-lasting immunity with as few side effects as possible.

Why do there seem to be more recommended vaccines than when I was a kid?

Common Questions

A panel of professionals (including vaccine experts, scientists, doctors and public health specialists) meet three times a year to discuss vaccine recommendations. The age at which they recommend children get each vaccine, timing between doses and other considerations maximize both safety and effectiveness.

How are recommended schedules developed, and why should I follow them?

Common Questions

WHAT IS...

Over the past 50 years, childhood vaccines have saved the lives of over 100 million infants.

20 MILLION

Over 20 million people who would have otherwise been paralyzed are able to walk.

508 MILLION

Researchers estimate that getting routine vaccinations will prevent 508 million cases of illnesses in children born between 1994 and 2023.

Save

Lives

Thanks to vaccinations, several diseases are nearly unheard of today — but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. Misinformation surrounding vaccine safety has serious consequences.

Diseases Decoded

The flu can be severe or even fatal, especialy for older individuals, those with underlying health conditions, immunocompromised people or young children. In 2024, South Dakota had one of the highest death rates from flu in the country. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

"The flu doesn't seem that serious. Why do I need a flu shot?"

If you're afraid of shots or have kids who hate pokes, you can opt for the flu nasal spray, available for people ages 2–49 who are healthy and not pregnant. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.

"I don't like needles. Can I skip it?"

common questions

Most flu shots are made of inactivated virus, so they can't make you sick. Your body may have an immune response to getting the shot, so some people can feel a little tired or have a low-grade fever. But that's just their body responding to the vaccine as intended.

"I've heard people say the shot gave them the flu. Is that true?"

Common Questions

The flu shot can be anywhere from 30%–60% effective depending on the year and which strains are most prevalent. But getting vaccinated improves your protection rate, so even if you do get it, your symptoms will be less severe and you'll keep those around you protected.

"The flu shot isn't that effective. Won't I probably get it anyway?"

Common questions

No. During pregnancy, your immune system is weaker, so you need extra protection. Pregnant women especially should consider a flu shot to protect themselves and their unborn child.

"Shouldn't pregnant women avoid the flu shot?"

Common questions

Start Here

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FLU SHOT?

Sponsored by The South Dakota Department of Health

The South Dakota Department of Health supplies childhood vaccines for children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children Program. The following conditions apply to eligible children: 1) You cannot be charged for the vaccine; 2) The provider may charge an administration fee but the fee must be waived if you cannot pay; and 3) You may be required to pay an office visit fee to receive the vaccine.

Safety of Vaccines Use for routine immunization of US Children: A Systematic Review. Pedatrics, Maglione et al. (July 1, 2014)

A flu shot can reduce your risk of getting sick by 60%

common questions

Find a Flu Shot Near You

Find a Provider

Find a Flu Shot Near You

Find a Provider

Vaccine Schedules

Find a Provider

What is the Vaccines for Children Program?

Common Questions

How are recommended schedules developed, and why should I follow them?

Common Questions