Wondering If Your Family Should Get the Flu Shot?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone over six months should get vaccinated against the flu. Without a vaccine for COVID-19, public health experts warn that the flu season combined with the pandemic could turn into a “twindemic,” quickly infecting the population and overwhelming hospitals. As of now, both the flu and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses but only the flu has a vaccine.
It’s especially crucial for two age groups – those older than 65 years and those under age 9 – to get their shots at the beginning of fall, or at least by Oct. 1, since this is when the flu season begins. Experts suggest that these two populations are vaccinated for influenza earlier to help increase their immunities before the season gets started since it takes at least two weeks for antibodies to build up immunities that will last through the entire flu season, which is about six months long. Additionally, children under 9 who have never received the vaccine before requires two shots. Experts recommend that for children who need the booster, schedule their first shot in early to mid-September if possible.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the flu vaccine:
Who In Your Family is Most at Risk of Becoming Sick with the Flu?
Children under 5 years of age.
Adults older than 65.
Family members with asthma, who have had a stroke, or with neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions.
Those who have heart and kidney diseases.
People with blood, endocrine, liver and other disorders.
Pregnant women.
How do You Know Which Vaccine to Get?
It’s always important to talk with your health provider for any vaccine and be truthful when filling out pre-shot paperwork. For instance, people older than 65 should receive the high-dose flu shot and only certain people are eligible for the nasal spray flu vaccine. Here’s more info on the different types of vaccines.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?
Generally, people who are allergic to eggs, have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or are feeling ill should not get the vaccine without talking to their health provider first.
Children younger than 6 months of age should not get a flu shot as they are too young. People with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in it, such as gelatin, or egg proteins, should not get the flu vaccine unless provided by their doctor.
Do Flu Vaccines Really Work?
That’s a challenging question to answer but the short answer is that the flu vaccine has many benefits. For one, studies have shown that the flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admissions and risk of dying from the flu.
Recent studies have indicated that the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness between 40% and 60% among the overall population when the circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the vaccine viruses.
Some people who get the flu shot still get the flu. However, those who are vaccinated and still get sick have reduced symptoms and severity of illness.
Can the Flu Vaccine Give You the Flu?
No, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.
Some people report having mild, short-lived side effects within one – two days after flu vaccination. Reported effects include soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given as well as experiencing a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches.
When Should You Get the Vaccine?
Experts recommend that older adults and children younger than 9 get the flu shot in September before flu season begins ramping up. It takes two weeks for antibodies to build immunity and younger children may need two shots so plan accordingly. Peak flu season is December through February (although it can last into early spring) and you want to begin protecting your family in advance of people in your community becoming sick with the flu.
Where Can You Get a Flu Shot?
Thankfully, the flu shot can be administered at your doctor’s office, community health centers, urgent care centers, college health centers, local pharmacies such as CVS or even in your grocery store pharmacy, and at pop-up sites. Be sure to call before you go though as some pharmacies will not give a child under 13 the vaccine without a prescription.
Pediatricians prefer that your child receive the shot at their office so that they have documentation and can help you make the right choice in vaccines for your child. Many pediatric practices have flu clinics including curbside and drive-thru service.
Check the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate where you can get the vaccine.
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