Cold and Flu

Flu Shots

One of the best ways to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine. Remember that flu viruses change and mutate: there is a new strain every few years. The good news is that getting the flu vaccine helps prevent the flu. The bad news is that you have to get it just about every year to stay current.

Make sure to keep your flu shot up-to-date

Each year the flu vaccine is reformulated to contain the strains that are most likely to occur that particular year. You should know that it is impossible for the vaccine to include all flu strains that might infect people throughout the world in a given flu season. The vaccine lowers your risk, but it can not prevent the illness entirely.(Strains for the vaccines are chosen 9 months in advance of flu season, so there's always the chance that a new strain will appear in the intervening time.) Still, experts estimate that if you're otherwise healthy, the vaccine is probably about 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu.

The vaccine is made from an inactive form of the flu viruses so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. You can however get some minor symptoms: mild aches and pains, some fatigue and low fever. These symptoms are most likely to appear in children who have never had the shot before.

There are two forms the flu vaccine comes in: injection or nasal spray (or  LAIV- “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine” sometimes called FluMist.) Since many insurance plans do not cover the nasal spray, most flu vaccines are given in shot form. Adults get the injection in one shot, while children under age 9 who are receiving the vaccine for the first time need to get the injection in two shots, given about a month apart.

The flu vaccine can be delivered
through a nasal spray

Whichever form of the vaccine you choose, you should get it in time for flu season, usually December through March. It takes about 1-2 weeks for the antibodies that protect you from the flu to develop in your body after receiving the flu vaccine. Flu season can begin as early as October and last until as late as May, so October or November are the best months to get a flu vaccine.

There are some groups who are at high risk for developing serious complications from the flu. They should almost certainly vaccinated. Talk to your doctor about the flu vaccine if you belong to one of these groups:

• People age 65 or older. This group accounts for 90% of all deaths due to influenza complications
• Children age 6 months to 23 months
• Women who are or may become pregnant during flu season
• Anyone over 6 months old with a weakened immune system
• Anyone 6 months or older with respiratory problems
• People who can transmit the flu to others who are at high risk for complications should they develop the flu
• People who live in long-term care facilities
• Healthcare and childcare personnel

There are different side effects that can occur with the flu shot and nasal spray vaccine:

Unfortunately, not everyone can have the flu vaccine. People who should not have the flu vaccine include:

• Anyone with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
• Anyone who has previously had a severe reaction to the flu vaccination
• People who already have flu-like symptoms
• Babies less than 6 months old
• Anyone who has developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine in the past. GBS is an auto immune system disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue.

Discuss with your doctor which from of flu vaccine, if any, is right for you.

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