Over the last four years, there has been a lot of talk about vaccines. Getting vaccines is a personal choice that you have to decide for yourself. It’s essential that you research and measure the benefits and risks for your health needs.
Every fall, there is a new flu shot. It’s formulated before flu season. In some years, the vaccine will be more effective than others, as it’s based on what flu virologists believe will be the most common. They don’t always get it right. They look at what strains were most common in the Southern Hemisphere for guidance. The Southern Hemisphere has winter while we have summer, so their flu season ends as ours begins. Knowing what the people in Australia were sick with last month can help them guess what we’ll be sick with next month! Currently, they are hoping for a mild flu season.
Getting one isn’t harmful for most people, but in some years, it isn’t as helpful as others. By discussing it with your doctor, you can decide what — if any — seasonal vaccinations are right for you.
The flu spreads through the fall and into the spring, peaking from December through February. Many local health departments aim to get people vaccinated in September to avoid spreading early. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to take full effect in the body.
“For older adults and for folks who’ve got chronic medical problems, I usually recommend getting the flu vaccine around anytime from the middle of September through early October,” said Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “Because in those of us with immune systems that aren’t quite as robust, we want to make sure that we vaccinate at a time that’s likely to give us immune protection throughout the flu season.”
The flu vaccine can make some people feel unwell. That’s especially true if you haven’t had a vaccine in a long time or get the high-dose flu vaccine. The vaccine offers more protection but can give you generalized muscle aches, a low-grade fever and headaches. It’s a sign that your body is gearing up to fight the flu, not that you were infected.
The CDC recommends getting the updated COVID-19 shot at the same time as your flu shot. The COVID-19 shot is more controversial. If you wish to get them simultaneously, that is up to you. But, it is a matter of personal choice.
It’s vital to read about your options, consider your health concerns and make the right choice for your needs. We want everyone to stay healthy to enjoy the fall season in good health!
