In a global pandemic, it’s a good year to be vaccinated against influenza

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, manufacturers have responded this year by providing 194-198 million vaccine doses, or about 20 million more than last year’s sales volume.

As the flu season is approaching, here are some answers to some common questions.

Q: When should I be vaccinated against influenza?

Advertising has already begun and some pharmacies and clinics are now supplying supplies. However, the vaccine’s effectiveness can decline over time, so the CDC does not recommend firing in August.

Many pharmacies and clinics will start vaccinations in early September. Influenza viruses generally begin to spread from mid-October to late-October, but spread further in winter. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies that circulate in the blood and block the infection to accumulate.

“Young, healthy people can get vaccinated against influenza in September, while older people and other vulnerable populations may develop in October,” said Steve Miller, chief clinical officer of insurance company CIGNA. There is.”

The CDC recommended “get the flu vaccine by the end of October”, but vaccinated afterwards because “vaccines throughout the flu season are still beneficial and need to be vaccinated” It’s not too late to do

Still, some experts don’t want to wait too long this year, not just for Covid-19, but in case of shortages due to overwhelming demand.

Q: What is the reason for rolling up your sleeves?

Get vaccinated to prevent the flu and keep it from infecting others. It helps reduce the burden on hospitals and medical staff.

And there’s another message that might resonate at this strange time.

“It gives people a sense that there are some things you can control,” said Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention at the American Heart Association.

Although flu vaccination cannot prevent Covid-19, he said, if symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat may help doctors to distinguish between the two diseases, he said ..

In addition, not all influenza can be prevented by vaccination against influenza, but if you get sick, you can reduce the severity by receiving vaccination.

Even if you get the flu vaccine, you will not get the flu.

According to the CDC, all eligible people, especially those at basic risk, those with basic illness, and those at high risk, including very young children and pregnant women, should seek protection. It is recommended that children over 6 months old be vaccinated.

Q: What do we know about the effectiveness of this year’s vaccine?

Influenza vaccines need to be newly developed each year as the influenza virus mutates — they can be effective each year, depending on their fitness with the circulating virus.

It was estimated that last year’s formulation was about 45% effective in preventing influenza overall and about 55% effective in children. The vaccines available in the US this year aim to prevent at least three strains of virus, and most cover four.

It remains to be seen how well this year’s supply fits into the circulating system in the United States. Early signs from the Southern Hemisphere are encouraging with the flu season in our summer. There, people practiced social distances, wore masks, and were more vaccinated this year — and global flu levels are lower than expected. Experts are cautioning, however, not to rely on similarly mild seasons in the United States, as masking and social separation efforts vary.

Q: Is the insurance system different from the medical system this year?

Insurers and healthcare systems contacted by KHN say they will follow CDC guidelines that limit the number of people waiting in queues and vaccination areas and require that they be spaced. Some have scheduled flu shots to help manage the flow.

“Encourage smaller, more frequent events to support social distance,” Health Fitness Concepts, a company that works with UnitedHealth Group and other companies to set up an influenza shot clinic in the northeast. “We are requesting that all forms be completed and that shirt sleeves be wrapped,” he said. Before entering the flu vaccination area” Everyone must wear a mask.

Also, nationwide, some doctor groups with UnitedHealth set up a tent area so they can take shots outdoors, said a spokesperson.

Kaiser Permanente plans drive-through vaccinations at some healthcare facilities and is testing touch-free screening and check-in procedures at some locations. (KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)

Geisinger Health, a community health institution in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, also said it would implement an outdoor flu vaccination program at the facility.

In addition, “Geisinger requires all employees to receive the influenza vaccine this year,” said Mark Shelley, who is responsible for infection control and management of the system. “By taking this step, we want to tell our neighbors the importance of influenza vaccines for everyone.”

Q: I usually get a flu shot at work. Is that another option this year as well?

Aiming to avoid dangerous indoor gatherings, many employers are reluctant to sponsor the onsite flu clinic they have offered in the last few years. And because so many people continue to work at home, it is rarely necessary to bring flu shots to employees at work. Instead, many employers encourage workers in pharmacies and other local settings to take shots from their primary care physician. Insurance usually covers the cost of the vaccine.

Julie Stone, managing director of health and benefits at consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, said that some employers have flu vaccination coupons for uninsured workers and those who are not part of the company’s plans. We are considering to provide. For example, vouchers allow you to shoot for free in certain labs.

Some employers are beginning to think about how parking will be used to manage drive-through influenza vaccination, said Dr. David Zieg, a clinical services leader at Mercer, a benefits consultant. It was

Although federal law allows employers to require employees to be vaccinated against the flu, the measures usually involve healthcare facilities and some universities where people live and work closely together. Only done in.

But that happens. Last month, the University of California system issued an executive order requiring influenza vaccination by November 1st with limited exceptions for all students, faculty, and staff.

Q: What do pharmacies do to encourage vaccination against influenza?

Some pharmacies are doing extra pushes to get out to the community to provide flu vaccinations.

With approximately 9,100 pharmacies nationwide, Walgreens continues its partnership with community organizations, churches and employers, which began in 2015, and has provided approximately 150,000 offsite and mobile flu clinics to date.

Dr. Kevin Bang, Chief Medical Officer of the drugstore chain, said the program places particular emphasis on working with vulnerable people and working in underserved areas.

Walgreens began offering influenza vaccinations in mid-August, encouraging people not to delay vaccination.

Both Walgreens and CVS encourage people to schedule appointments and manage paperwork online to minimize the amount of time they spend in the store.

At the CVS MinuteClinic location, influenza vaccinated patients must wait outdoors or in the car as the indoor waiting room is closed.

The Walgreens ban said, “The quiver against Covid has fewer arrows.” “Pressing the healthcare system by proactively providing the vaccine is one of the things we can do.”