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Should you get the Flu Vaccine – Important Questions Answered

Do you find yourself among the thousands of your neighbors and friends asking themselves if the Flu Vaccine is right for them?

Flu season is just a few sneezes and coughs away. There are hundreds of ads from local pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and even your own physician telling you to get one.

But some vaccine companies are hoping that you wait and there are plenty of groups telling anyone who will listen, to avoid them completely.

Which is it:  Should you wait or get it tomorrow? Should you even get one in the first place?

The CDC or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joined their voices to the barrage to encourage you and your friends to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Last year, only about 45% of Americans received a flu shot.  A 5% increase in the number would save almost 10,000 hospitalizations.

2 new flu vaccines will be available this year.  One will protect against 4 strains of the influenza virus instead of 3.  Also available are Adjuvant vaccine which is essentially a boost to the effectiveness of the vaccine.

A Few Things to Consider:

1.)  The peak time for flu can change from year to year.
2.)  Typically the earliest it is seen is October and the latest is May.
3.)  Last year, the peak time was December, and some reports show that it will likely be similar to this year.
4.)  Some recommend that you don’t get your flu shot until sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving
5.)  But don’t forget – often those who wait even a few extra weeks will forget.
6.)  The CDC recommends that you get it as soon as possible.
7.)  Traditional Flu Vaccines protect against 3 flu viruses: Two Influenza A viruses and One Influenza B virus.

Who should get a flu shot?

–  CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months old should get a flu shot.
–  A child under 6 months is not recommended.
–  Don’t get a flu shot if you have a life threatening response to any part of the flu vaccine.
–  Children and the Elderly are highly encouraged.
–  The Flu shot is approved for Pregnant Females and those with Chronic Medical Conditions.
–  The nasal flu vaccine is no longer available – its effectiveness is being questioned.
–  You should talk to your doctor if you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS
–  It might be discouraged if you aren’t feeling well.

How long does it take for the Flu shot to work?

–  It takes the body 2 weeks for antibodies to be produced sufficiently.
–  Antibodies are like guardians against the virus and need to be adequately produces.
–  Immunity is provided by the flu shot
–  Over time, the effectiveness of the shot will become less and less.
–  You could be protected, then over time, that protection becomes less and less.
–  This is seen often in those over 65.

Are their risks to wait for the flu shot?

–  The greatest risk is that you won’t get one – Procrastination
–  Availability – pharmacies push for you to get the flu shot because there are plenty at the beginning of the season.
–  That number diminishes over time.
–  There have been a few years where we have run out of flu shots.

If there was a Flu Vaccine shortage – who should be a priority or get the vaccine first?

–  According to the CDC – the following should get them – not necessarily in this order
–  Children between the ages of 6 months and 58 months (4 years).
–  Immunosuppressed – either through medication or by HIV.
–  Chronic Lungs Conditions (Pulmonary) such as: Asthma, COPD, Respiratory Failure, and others
–  Chronic Heart Conditions such as: Cardiac Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Enlarged heart, etc. (This doesn’t necessarily include High Blood Pressure or Hypertension alone)
–  Chronic Metabolic Conditions such as: Diabetes.
–  Other Chronic Conditions such as kidney problems, hematologic, liver, and neurologic.
–  Women who are or will be pregnant.
–  Those in Nursing Homes or Chronic care facilities
–  Health Care workers
–  Children between age 6 months and 18 months who are on long term Aspirin.
–  Household caregivers of children under 5 and/or for adults 50 and older.
–  Others