Flu Shot: Amazing facts, Why are they so important?

As flu season approaches, many individuals may wonder whether getting a flu shot is necessary. In this post, we will explore the reasons why flu shots are crucial for protecting our health and well-being. From preventing the spread of influenza to protecting individuals and communities from severe complications, flu shots are essential. Join us as we delve into the importance of flu shots and why they are a key component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What is the Flu Shot?

The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that helps prevent infection from influenza viruses. It works by exposing your body to weakened or inactive forms of the flu virus, which helps your immune system build antibodies against them. If you’re later infected, your body can quickly recognize and fight the live virus, reducing the chance of severe illness.

The flu shot doesn’t provide 100% protection against the flu, but it significantly lowers your chances of contracting it and can also reduce the severity of symptoms if you get sick. It’s an important preventive measure, especially for those at higher risk of flu-related complications.

Although the flu shot does not guarantee complete protection against the flu, it can greatly reduce your chances of infection and the severity of your symptoms. This is an important preventive measure, especially for those who are more prone to flu-related complications.

Why Get the Flu Shot?

Getting the flu shot is advisable for several reasons:

• Protection: The flu shot is the best protection against the influenza virus and can decrease the chances of getting the flu or developing complications from it.
• Public Health: Through vaccination, people can play their part in decreasing the chances of flu transmission in their societies.
• Reduced Severity: If a person ever gets the flu despite getting a vaccine, their flu symptoms are also less severe or shorter in duration.
• Vulnerable Populations: Vaccination is also useful in protecting high-risk groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions, who are at a higher risk of flu-related complications.
• Preventative Measure: Some people require an annual vaccination because flu viruses mutate constantly; therefore; vaccines provide immunity against the current strains.
• Workplace and Family Protection: People should get the flu shot so that they do not transfer the flu to their co-workers, friends, and family.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting an annual flu vaccine is strongly recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, with very few exceptions. It is crucial for individuals at high risk of developing severe flu complications to receive the vaccine annually.

• Children: The flu vaccine is needed for all children between ages 6 months to 4 years. This age group has a higher risk of severe flu complications.
• Pregnant Women: Pregnant women should get vaccinated for the flu because the flu can cause serious complications to both the woman and her unborn child.
• Adults 50 and Older: The immune system of a human being decreases as he grows older implying that older people get flu and all its related ailments easily. People above 50 years old should ensure they get a flu vaccination annually.
• Those with Chronic Conditions: Individuals with such conditions as asthma, heart issues, and diabetes are vulnerable to flu-related complications and should be vaccinated.
• Healthcare Workers: It is recommended that healthcare personnel should take the flu vaccine every year for their safety and their patients.
• Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities: People in nursing homes and long-term care facilities are especially susceptible to influenza and its effects, so vaccination is vital.

When to Get the Flu Shot?

The best time to get a flu shot is very early September to the end of October. This timing offers the best protection against the flu virus. It is thus recommendable to go for the vaccinations so that when the virus is circulating in the community. According to the CDC, one should get vaccinated before the end of October to achieve immunity before the flu season comes to its peak.

After taking the flu vaccine, it usually takes about 2 weeks for one’s body to produce an adequate number of antibodies to combat the flu virus. It is usually administered in late summer and early fall and people are urged to go for flu vaccination as soon as it is out. Vaccinating early offers numerous advantages and significantly lowers the risk of contracting the virus. However, getting vaccinated later in the season still provides some level of benefit and is recommended if individuals have missed the optimal period for vaccination.

Types of Flu Shots

The flu shot comes in various forms which vary depending on the type of influenza virus that it targets to combat. Here are some of the most common types:

• Quadrivalent Flu Vaccines: These vaccines are aimed to prevent four different strains of the flu: two of influenza A, and two of influenza B. Quadrivalent vaccines are preferred for most individuals as they provide immunity to more circulating influenza strains.

• Trivalent Flu Vaccines: These vaccines target three various influenza viruses, two of type A and one of type B. Trivalent vaccines are present in limited numbers due to the availability of quadrivalent vaccines in the market.

• High-Dose Flu Vaccines: These vaccines are formulated with a higher concentration of antigen to ensure that those in the above 65-year-old category develop the right immune response. The higher dose may result in improving the immune response for this particular group of people due to the lower immunogenicity of the standard-dose vaccines.

• Adjuvanted Flu Vaccines: These vaccines also include an adjuvant which is a substance that enhances the body’s response to the vaccine. Ironically, flu vaccines are adjuvanted for people 65 years and above because the adjuvant will have a lot of impact on the immune response to the vaccine.

• Egg-Based Flu Vaccines: Influenza vaccines are generally prepared from eggs, that is, the virus is cultured in eggs. These vaccines are generally safe for people, but people with egg allergies should consult with their doctors about these vaccines.

• Cell-Based Flu Vaccines: These vaccines are developed using the mammalian cell culture method and not the eggs as are the usual case. They are available to persons with egg allergies or those who wish to take an egg-free vaccine.

• Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine: The nasal spray flu vaccine is a live, weakened virus vaccine that is delivered directly into the nostril. It is recommended for those who are not pregnant, for persons between the ages of 2-49 years. However, its effectiveness has declined slightly in recent years and may not be available or recommended during some seasons.

Flu Shot Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the annual flu shot may vary from season to season, depending on how well the vaccine matches the strains of influenza viruses circulating during that particular flu season. Flu vaccines are generally more effective against influenza B and influenza A(H1N1) viruses compared to influenza A(H3N2) viruses.

According to the CDC, flu vaccination reduces flu illness risk by 40-60% when vaccine viruses are well-matched to circulating flu viruses.

However, even when the vaccine does not perfectly match the circulating flu strains, it still offers significant protection against severe illness and complications from the flu. The CDC estimates that in seasons when the vaccine match is not optimal, the flu vaccine can still reduce the risk of flu illness by 20-30%.

It’s important to note that, the flu shot’s effectiveness may vary depending on factors such as the recipient’s age and overall health. For instance, the flu shot effectiveness diminishes in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Despite varying effectiveness rates, public health experts strongly recommend annual flu vaccination for individuals aged 6 months and older. Even with reduced efficacy, the flu shot can still help prevent millions of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths each year.

Flu Shot Side Effects

Most individuals experience no or mild side effects after receiving the flu shot. Common minor side effects include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea

These side effects are usually mild and subside within 24-48 hours. They are only symptoms that your body is developing immunity against the flu virus.

Severe side effects resulting from the flu shot are rare. Nevertheless, like any other vaccine, it may result in severe allergic reactions in certain persons. Signs of a severe side effect include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face and throat
• Fast heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Weakness

These effects generally appear within minutes to hours after vaccination. If you notice any of these signs, consult your healthcare provider.

However, it is crucial to know that the flu shot cannot give one the flu illness as most people tend to think. The viruses in the vaccine are either inactivated or weakened and cannot cause infection. Some people mistakenly attribute unrelated illnesses to the flu shot, but this is a common myth. The flu shot does not contain live viruses and does not make you sick.

Flu Shot Myths and Facts

There are many myths and misconceptions which are associated with the flu vaccine and they prevent people from going for the vaccine. This is why it is crucial to clear up misconceptions and directly tackle these myths.

Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu.

Fact: The flu shot is created using an inactivated virus, so it can’t give you the flu. You might experience minor side effects such as some soreness or a low-grade fever.

Myth: I don’t need the flu shot every year.

Fact: Annual vaccination is crucial to protect against the latest strains of flu viruses and maintain immunity.

Myth: I’m healthy, so, I don’t need the flu shot.

Fact: Vaccination not only protects you but also helps safeguard vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Myth: The flu shot doesn’t work.

Fact: The annual efficacy of the flu vaccine varies, but overall, it considerably lowers the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and flu-related mortality.

Myth: I’ve had the flu before, so I don’t need the flu shot.

Fact: Even if you do contract the flu, getting vaccinated can reduce the severity of your symptoms and shield you from other types.

By addressing these common myths and misconceptions, we can help combat the spread of misinformation and encourage more people to get vaccinated against the flu.