As flu season is across the corner, health officials are reminding people to get vaccinated at the fitting time to get the utmost protection against the influenza virus that affects 1000’s of individuals within the U.S. every yr.

When Is the Right Time to Get a Flu Shot?

Although influenza vaccines can be found from July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals above the age of 65 and pregnant women in the primary or second trimester avoid getting vaccination during that point unless they can not get the shot later within the season.

“For many individuals who need just one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, vaccination should ideally be offered during September or October. Nevertheless, vaccination should proceed after October and throughout the season so long as influenza viruses are circulating and unexpired vaccine is offered,” the CDC said in a news release last week.

“Certain children aged 6 months through 8 years need two doses; these children should receive the primary dose as soon as possible after the vaccine is offered, including during July and August. Vaccination during July and August may be considered for youngsters of any age who need just one dose for the season and for pregnant individuals who’re within the third trimester during these months if the vaccine is offered,” the agency added.

The flu vaccines for the 2023-24 season are quadrivalent (targets protection against 4 different flu viruses).

Why Are Flu Shots Essential?

Reduce the Severity of the Flu

Individuals who take flu shots have 40% to 60% reduced risk of going to the doctor with flu. As vaccine reduces the severity of infection, those that take flu shots are at 31% lower risk of death from flu in comparison with the unvaccinated.

Reduce Flu-Related Hospitalizations

In response to CDC reports, flu shots curbed around 7.5 million influenza illnesses and 105,000 flu-related hospitalizations in 2019-2020. It’s estimated that around 650,000 people can die of the flu every yr around the globe.

Prevent Complications for Individuals with Chronic Diseases

Studies have shown that flu vaccines act as a protective tool to forestall complications in individuals with chronic conditions equivalent to diabetes, lung disease and heart conditions.

Can Be a Lifesaver for Children

Flu shots can significantly reduce kid’s risk of dying from flu. A 2022 study shows getting a flu shot reduces kid’s risk of getting severe life-threatening influenza by 75%.

Help Protect Vulnerable People

Flu shots protect not only the individuals who take them but additionally those that are vulnerable to serious infections.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

CDC recommends that everybody above the age of 6 months, with rare exceptions, should get flu vaccine every season. The exceptions include children younger than 6 months, individuals with life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients and folks with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition that ends in severe paralysis.

“With few exceptions, the rules internationally (and from CDC within the U.S.) are that every one people above 6 months of age ought to be vaccinated annually against the flu, and infants younger than 6 months are protected by a vaccine given to the parent while pregnant,” Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and college member on the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, told Medical Day by day.

Myths and Facts About Flu Shots

Myth No. 1: You Don’t Need Flu Shots Every Yr

Fact: Because the body’s immune response reduces over time and the virus mutates every season, it is crucial to take a flu shot every yr. The flu shots are revised annually to incorporate protection against the influenza viruses which can be expected to flow into within the upcoming flu season.

“It’s extremely necessary to stay awake to this point with flu vaccines since the flu is a virus that always mutates and changes, and thus your protection from a shot will wane over time. Annual flu vaccines update your protection against the flu viruses more likely to be most typical within the upcoming flu season,” Wallace said.

Myth No. 2: Flu Shots Give You the Flu

Fact: Flu shots are product of inactivated viruses so you may’t catch the flu from the vaccine.

“This can be a quite common misconception. There isn’t any live virus in a flu vaccine that may infect you. Flu shots are made using either inactivated viruses or without flu virus in any respect (within the recombinant vaccines). So, you can not get flu from a flu shot!” Wallace explained.

Myth No. 3: Flu Shots Are Unsafe for Pregnant Women and Individuals with Chronic Conditions

Fact: Flu shots while pregnant can protect each the mother and the infant. They reduce the danger of complications in individuals with chronic conditions.

“Vaccinating people while pregnant helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and in addition has been shown to guard the child from flu infection for several months after birth before the child may be vaccinated,” Wallace said.

Myth No. 4: Flu Shots Give You Side Effects Worse Than Flu

Fact: Many individuals fear flu shots greater than the complications from the flu, however the unwanted side effects of flu shots are less severe and don’t last long.

“Uncomfortable side effects that will occur after the flu vaccine are mostly minor and short-term equivalent to soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever or body aches. These are reactions to your immune system constructing immunity and is completely normal!” Wallace clarified.

Published by Medicaldaily.com