Time for flu pictures — getting one is extra necessary than ever! – . Well being Weblog

Wondering when to get your flu shot? The best time is before influenza (flu) becomes widespread. For most people, September or October is ideal for protection throughout the flu season, as the vaccine's immune response wears off over time. And while changes and restrictions due to COVID-19 may make a flu vaccine less convenient for some this year, it's more important than ever because of the pandemic.

Why do I have to get a flu vaccine annually?

Influenza A and Influenza B cause the most cases of flu in humans. Both have many strains that are constantly changing and accumulating genetic mutations that mask them from the immune system. Previous exposure to one strain of flu does not necessarily protect you from other strains. Your immune system may not even recognize the same strain if it's mutated enough.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitor constantly changing strains of influenza around the world. They are using this data to develop vaccines months before the start of the flu season to protect against the most likely strains to hit the US. During this flu season, the most common strains likely include H1N1 and H3N2.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

While the vaccine is not perfect, it is 40% to 60% effective for most years. And if you get the flu, it is likely to be milder, as vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness or death.

During the 2018–2019 flu season, 35.5 million Americans contracted the flu, and 34,200 died from the flu. However, last year half of all Americans got the flu shot. The CDC estimates this prevented 4.4 million cases of flu, 58,000 hospital stays and 3,500 deaths. This is equivalent to saving 10 lives a day during the flu season. The flu vaccine offers additional benefits for people with chronic illnesses, such as: B. reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes or death in people with heart disease and reducing outbreaks in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Why is it especially important to get the flu vaccine this year?

Measures that protect us from COVID-19, such as: B. Distancing, wearing face-coverings frequently, and washing hands can also reduce the spread of the flu. However, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a shortage of hospital beds, intensive care beds and ventilators even outside of the flu season. During the flu season, when both the flu and COVID-19 are circulating, hospitals may again suffer from bottlenecks, limiting their ability to care for people with severe flu, COVID-19, or both.

People can get COVID-19 and flu at the same time. A recent study showed that people with COVID-19 and influenza B were sicker than people with COVID-19 alone.

COVID-19 and flu also have similar symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and coughs. Therefore, people who contract the flu may need to be tested for COVID-19 and then quarantined until they receive the test result. This could mean more days of unemployment. This could also lead to test failures.

What type of flu vaccine should I get?

With a few exceptions, the CDC recommends a vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and over. Which flu vaccine is right for you will depend on factors such as age, allergies, co-existing diseases, and availability of the vaccine. For adults who do not have allergies or chronic illnesses and are not pregnant, the CDC does not recommend a vaccine over another.

• Eleven flu vaccines are FDA approved for the 2020-2021 season. Most are available as recordings and contain either inactivated (killed) virus or recombinant virus (made using laboratory techniques). Vaccines can be made using egg-based or non-egg-based processes.
• A trivalent (three-part) flu vaccine contains two strains of influenza A (an H1N1 and an H3N2 strain) and an influenza B vaccine.
• A tetravalent (four-part) vaccine adds another strain of influenza B.
• A vaccine that is given as a nasal spray is tetravalent and contains live weakened (weakened) virus. It is approved for healthy, non-pregnant people aged 2 to 49 years.
• A high-dose flu vaccine and a flu vaccine with an adjuvant (an ingredient that strengthens the immune response) provide additional protection for people aged 65 and over. These are not approved for younger people.

Infants under 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated. However, if their mother was given a flu vaccine during pregnancy, babies have partial protection after birth. People with severe, life-threatening allergies to the influenza vaccine or any of its ingredients should not be vaccinated. However, most people with egg allergies can get a flu shot. Depending on how they react to eggs, they can either get the same vaccines as someone without allergies or get an egg-free flu vaccine. If you have an egg allergy, a history of allergies to any vaccines or flu vaccine ingredients, or if you have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare disease in which the immune system attacks nerves), talk to your doctor beforehand Get vaccinated.

Where can I get a flu vaccine?

You can check with your doctor or health plan about local flu vaccination clinics. Vaccines are also available in drug stores, supermarkets, and clinics. Depending on your insurance, the flu vaccine may be free.

You can also check with your local health authority for free vaccination sites. In many cities and states, you can call 211 for this information.

The CDC stresses the importance of getting as many people as possible this year to get the flu vaccine, while providing guidelines to minimize the risk of COVID-19. Healthcare facilities take measures to reduce risk, such as B. Symptom screening, appointment spacing, and enforcing social distancing and wearing masks. With proper precautions, the risk of COVID-19 exposure while taking your flu vaccine should be minimal and no higher than visiting the store.