Five Facts About the Flu Vaccine

Don’t Forget to Get Your Flu Shot – Five Facts About the Flu Vaccine

December 5-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a time to reflect on how important it is to get the annual flu shot to protect yourself and loved ones from severe illness. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges people six months and older to get their flu shots by the end of October, it’s never too late to get one. Winter ushers in colder temps and marks the official beginning of cold and flu season for many communities. Below, Pegalis Law Group, LLC examines five facts about the flu vaccine to educate people on the fence about the effectiveness of getting an annual flu shot.

1. Flu Vaccines Protect Against Predicted Flu Strains Each Season

Flu epidemics are usually caused by the human influenza A or B virus. Each year, flu vaccines are made to protect people against the flu viruses that are likely to be the most common during that specific flu season. Most flu vaccines protect you from multiple virus strains. The number of protected flu strains may vary by vaccine and season. For the 2022-23 flu season, the three most commonly recommended flu vaccines include the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine, and Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine.

2. Flu Shots Won’t Give You the Flu – Make Symptoms Less Severe

Because flu vaccines contain dead flu viruses or weak proteins from flu viruses, many people mistakenly think that a flu shot can give you the flu. While it’s true that some may experience mild side effects from flu shots, they don’t give you the flu. These side effects won’t be as strong as flu symptoms. While it’s possible to get the flu after receiving your annual flu shot, your risk of getting it decreases by 40-60%. If you do get the flu, your symptoms should be less severe than those who didn’t get vaccinated.

3. Flu Shots Take About Two Weeks to Become Effective

When you get a flu shot, your body begins making proteins that help you fight flu viruses. However, it can take about two weeks for your body to develop enough proteins to offer adequate flu protection. This is why the CDC recommends getting flu shots before cold and flu season. Be aware that children between the ages of six months and eight years may need to get two flu vaccine doses spaced about four weeks apart for the best protection.

4. Afraid of Needles? Flu Shots Are Available as a Nasal Spray

Many people are afraid of needles and let that fear hold them back from getting vaccinations when needed. Most don’t realize the flu vaccine is available as both a shot and nasal spray. You may be eligible for the nasal spray flu vaccine depending on your age and overall health. Most people under 50 who are not pregnant can get their flu vaccine administered this way. Talk to your doctor.

5. Flu Shots Aren’t for Everybody – Talk to Your Doctor Today!

While the CDC recommends the annual flu shot for most people six months or older, there are exceptions. If you have known allergies to the vaccine’s ingredients, you should consult your primary healthcare provider before getting the flu vaccine. They can help you determine what’s best for you.

While most people who get the flu are inconvenienced with a fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and a runny or stuffy nose for a few days, thousands of people are hospitalized and die from influenza yearly. Several studies have shown a correlation between getting the annual flu shot with fewer flu-related medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. People at a higher risk for developing severe flu-related complications include pregnant women, children under 5, seniors over 65, and people with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma. Please consider getting a flu shot this season!

Committed to Creating Proactive Patients Throughout the Year

As a New York-based personal injury and medical malpractice law firm for 50 years, Pegalis Law Group, LLC prioritizes creating public awareness and proactive patients. Please visit our website and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to receive additional healthcare insights for you and your loved ones throughout the year.