The severe flu season has arrived.Experts Answer Your Flu Vaccination Questions

This year’s flu season has been suggested to be particularly bad, making the annual flu vaccine more important than usual, infectious disease experts say.

People had already landed in hospitals with severe cases of the flu, and about a month before flu season Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Infectious Diseases Foundation, says it usually starts.

it tracks at This year’s flu activity in AustraliaFlu season was early and moderately severe at this time of year, Schaffner said. Because the seasons are opposite in the United States and Australia, infectious disease experts here focus on that continent to make future predictions. flu activity.

“We are expecting a notable flu season this year. We have had two mild seasons so far. I think it’s because I haven’t been to ,” Schaffner said. He said.

“Well, the kids are back in school,” he added. “We’re taking off our masks. We’re traveling. We’re visiting friends and relatives. We’re going to places of worship and restaurants. We’re going back to business. We’re doing all of that. And this provides an environment.” . influenza virus It really spreads. ”

Unfortunately many people remain vaccination– hesitate.Only about half of those who were qualified influenza vaccination During the 2020-2021 season, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here’s some important information about vaccination Help inform your decision:

How effective is the influenza vaccine?

Vaccine makers each year influenza virus It’s been circulating in Australia to speculate which strains will prevail when the US flu season arrives.

“We’re trying to predict which strains will be the most common circulating strains nine months from now, and that’s when we decide which strains to include in vaccines,” Schaffner said. I’m here. “We are pretty good at hitting our targets.

In general, flu vaccines reduce the number of people getting sick by 40% to 60%, experts say. Preliminary figures show that last year’s shot was well below the mark, showing about 35% efficacy against the circulating influenza A strain. According to the CDC.

However, even the relatively ineffective flu vaccination offers solid protection against serious illness and hospitalization.

An estimated 7.5 million cases of influenza were prevented by vaccination during the 2019-2020 flu season. 3.7 million flu-related visits. 105,000 hospitalizations for influenza. 6,300 flu-related deaths, CDC reported.

Additionally, a 2021 study showed that vaccinated flu patients had a 26% lower risk of hospital admission. intensive care unit They also have a 31% lower risk of dying from the flu than those who haven’t been vaccinated, says the CDC.

“My patients came in after flu season and complained, ‘You gave me a flu shot, but I got the flu anyway,'” Schaffner said. “And they’ll say, ‘Charlie, I’m so glad you came to complain.'”

When is the best time to get the flu vaccination?

The CDC recommends October as the best month to get a flu shot, Schaffner said.

“It’s all about getting the vaccine in time enough to prevent early flu, and actually getting the flu a little earlier this year, and usually being in peak flu months. It’s the best balance between extending prevention beyond February for many people in the United States,” he explained.

But even if you miss October, Schaffner added, don’t miss your chance. It takes 10-14 days for immune system protection to build.

“Even if you skip it in October for some reason, by all means get the vaccine,” Schaffner said. .”

Is it safe to get a COVID booster along with the annual flu shot?

CDC recommends people get both New bivalent COVID booster As well as the annual flu vaccine this fall.

“Flu vaccines cannot prevent COVID. COVID vaccines cannot prevent influenza. They are separate viruses. “This year, I’m asking everyone to roll up their sleeves.”

Not only is it safe to get both immunizations, but it’s also safe to get both in one visit to your doctor, pharmacy, or clinic.

“If you choose to do that, it’s safe and you can have both vaccines at the same time,” Schaffner said. “If you choose to spread them, there’s no required spacing between the two. You can get one today and the next tomorrow if you choose, but postponed vaccines are a constant reminder to people that, unfortunately, they often never get them. So we have to be careful and diligent about getting both.”

How much cash should I pay for my shots?

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance Schaffner said the plan includes a flu shot as a free preventative health measure. The cost of vaccination is much less than the cost of an emergency room visit or hospitalization for the flu.

If you don’t have insurance, you can get a free flu shot from your local health department.

Should older people get the flu shot? What about pregnant women and young children?

People over the age of 65 are at increased risk of severe influenza, which can lead to fatal complications such as pneumonia. Influenza also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in older people.

This year, for the first time, the CDC Advisory Board on Immunization Highly recommended Three powerful flu vaccines for the elderly. These vaccines are specifically designed to provide a stronger immune response.

“If you look back at the people over 65 who got the flu vaccine last year and the year before and the year before, 80% of that population already had one of those three vaccines, so medical practice is moving in that direction. It was in a way that was already stable,” Schaffner said.

“But for the first time this year, they said, we have enough data to get one of these vaccines if you’re over 65 and only get the standard vaccine if one of those vaccines isn’t available. I said,” he added.

Pregnant mothers should also be vaccinated to protect against pregnancy complications from influenza and to provide early protection for their newborns.

“A number of studies now clearly show that influenza vaccines given during pregnancy are safe for both mothers and babies,” Schaffner said.

He, pregnant woman Complication rates in people who get the flu are comparable to those in the elderly.

“In other words, you’re at an increased risk of flu complications simply because of your pregnancy status,” he said.

“Additionally, antibodies made in the lungs actually cross the placenta into the newborn and help protect it during the first four to six months of life,” Schaffner said. “Therefore, vaccinating pregnant women protects not only pregnant women, but also newborn babies. This is his two fail.”

Children are eligible for the flu vaccination at 6 months of age. These shots could save the lives of children, he said, according to the CDC. A 2022 study found that the flu vaccine reduced the risk of life-threatening flu in children by 75%, and a 2020 study found that the flu vaccine reduced flu-related hospitalizations in children by 41%. .

What side effects can I expect? Will the injection give me the flu?

“Getting the flu is a very persistent urban and rural myth. influenza vaccineSchaffner said. “It’s biologically impossible. It can’t be.”

Because the side effects of vaccination are similar to those of the flu, people often think they got the flu from the vaccine. influenzahe pointed out.

“Some people have a little headache, some people have some fever and they’re sick for a day,” Schaffner said. “It’s not the flu. It’s your body reacting to the vaccine. there is.”

Other common side effects from shots are pain in the arm and redness or swelling at the injection site, Schaffner added.

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