The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend yearly vaccination for everyone 6 months and older as the best way to prevent getting the flu.
What is the flu?
The flu is a serious illness caused by certain strains of the Influenza virus. Unlike the cold, whose onset is gradual, symptoms present abruptly and may include any or all of the following:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Body and muscle aches
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Vomiting and diarrhea (most common in children)
Complications pose the greatest danger. Pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, muscles and brain, multiple organ failure and sepsis can occur.
The Flu Vaccine
Every year, a new vaccine consisting of killed or inactive forms of the 3-4 strains of Influenza virus expected to “dominate” the season is produced. Because deciding which strains to include in the vaccine is an educated guess, the flu vaccine doesn’t confer full immunity and you can still get the flu after vaccination. On average, vaccination is only 40-60% effective. Some years, effectiveness is significantly less. Despite this, the vaccine remains the best safeguard against the flu.
The imperfect protection and wildly varying effectiveness of the vaccine are related to both the mutability of the virus and to host factors. In general, the vaccine is most effective in healthy adults, less so in children, people with chronic illnesses, and those over 65.
Is the Flu Shot Worth Getting?
Definitely YES.
While it’s impossible to predict how effective the vaccine will be on any given year, the genetic closeness of different virus strains means the vaccine will still protect against less-dominant strains. Even if you get the flu after vaccination, studies have shown you’re likely to experience milder symptoms.
When to Get Vaccinated
Late October is the ideal time to get vaccinated. This will prime your immunity for the peak of flu season – usually February or later.
You can protect yourself by getting a shot as late as January, though the sooner the better. Immunity is temporary and diminishes over time. Understand, it takes two weeks for your body to develop immunity, and you can still catch the flu during this window. Flu vaccines CANNOT give you the flu.
The Most Important Reason to Get the Shot
The flu vaccine is less effective on the very demographics at higher risk for life-threatening complications. This makes the flu a major public health issue. Getting vaccinated helps you and others.
The more people are immunized against a disease, the least likely it gets transmitted to others. This herd immunity confers protection to the entire population, helping to shield those at higher risk.
(Photo by Hyttalo Souza on Unsplash)