Flu Vaccine: What you Need to Know!

The dreaded “Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Every year, the flu can wreak havoc on our society, causing thousands of lost work and school days, as well as up to 50,000 deaths annually, 90% of which occur in those over 65 years old.

 

The influenza virus, which causes the flu, can come in many serotypes. Each year, researchers determine the serotype of flu virus that will most likely occur in the upcoming season. This is basically a research-based, educated “guesstimate” each year, and for now it is the best option we have! The vaccine is then developed to protect against the influenza viruses that research shows will be most likely to be prevalent.

 

What is the flu?

Infection with the influenza virus can cause a rapid onset of high fever, muscle aches, generalized fatigue, and headache. One day you’re fine and the next day you can’t even get out of bed.

 

So who’s most at risk?

• Children under 5 years old, especially under 2!
• Adults over 65 years old
• Pregnant women and women in early postpartum period
• Nursing home and assisted living facility residents AND employees
• All people with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, COPD and emphysema, diabetes, and neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s
• All who are immunocompromised (chronic steroid treatment, cancer, HIV/AIDS)

 

In these high-risk people, within a few days, the flu can go from fever and muscle aches to potentially deadly complications! That’s why it is so important for not only these people to get vaccinated, but for those who care for them (including healthcare workers) or live in close contact with them.

 

When you look at this list of high risk people and the potential complications, it’s clear: everyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine each year – healthy people can have it and pass it on to those at risk for more serious fatal complications.

 

When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

 

When to get the vaccine?

Late September is the ideal time to get the flu vaccine, so your immunity lasts throughout the flu season, which can go as late as May. If you don’t get it in early fall, you can still get vaccinated as late as December or January and still be protected, if you haven’t already contracted the flu!

 

Tips for parents:

The younger your child, the higher his or her risk of developing serious complications from the flu.

• The CDC recommends use of the nasal spray vaccine for healthy children age 2 through 8 as soon as it becomes available.
• There is some evidence that the nasal spray vaccine may work better in younger children than a regular flu shot!
• It’s usually easier on your child (and you!) to get a nasal spray versus a shot! Check with your pediatrician if your child doesn’t have a contraindication to the nasal spray (some kids with an egg allergy, asthma, or weak immune systems may not be able to take the spray).

Researchers are working on an ORAL pill form of the flu vaccine. We are also hopeful that soon we will have a vaccine that covers all possible serotypes in a season in one shot. STAY TUNED!