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But still focusing on COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots, this will be the first time many people have juggled vaccinations for both respiratory illnesses – raising new questions about the effects, duration and timing of the disease. vaccine against influenza.
Here’s what you need to know about the flu shot this season.
Why do I need a flu shot?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in a typical season, on average 8% of the American population will contract the flu, which can cause mild to severe illness and can be fatal. The CDC says the best way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine.
This is even more important at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to health experts. They fear that if the flu returns this year, it could lead to a double whammy – known in the medical world as co-infection.
“With the opening of things and the increase in travel, the resurgence of the flu is of great concern,” said Dr. Darvin Scott Smith, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center. “The flu rate could be a lot higher this season, so everyone should get their flu shot this year to be safe. “
When is the flu season usually?
The flu season varies, but it usually begins in November, peaks between December and February, and lasts until March. Dr Jeffrey Silvers, medical director of infection control for Sutter Health, said some seasons can start as early as September or October, or continue through April.
But Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said: “All bets are off this year.” That’s because with the flu taking a hiatus last year, he said, our immune system’s guard is down.
“We could see an atypical season with a calendar because we, as a population, do not have the same immune protection since the last time many people encountered the flu, it was in March 2020”, a- he wrote in an email.
Who should get the flu shot?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts recommend that anyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot.
The CDC has issued interim guidelines emphasizing the importance of routine vaccinations and influenza during the pandemic, stressing that influenza vaccinations help reduce the burden of respiratory disease in general – which is crucial to protect those at risk. risk of serious illness, the health system and other infrastructure.
How long does a flu shot last?
While it’s difficult to measure how long immunity to the flu vaccine lasts, Silvers said the protection is still quite good after four months – and for those with good immune systems, the coverage does. probably spans about six months.
When should I get the flu shot? Could immunity wear off over time?
Anyone eligible to get a flu shot is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The CDC says that ideally everyone would be vaccinated by the end of October, and it takes two weeks for vaccine coverage to take effect.
The timing, however, can vary by group. People over 65 and immunocompromised people are generally advised not to get the vaccine early. Chin-Hong said immunity may wane sooner in the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised may not get the full antibody response.
“This is why we all need to get the flu shot, to also protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” he said. “And that’s why we advise older people to get the flu shot not too early, so that (they have enough) immunity when the flu really hits, and not too late, so that you get protection when you really need it. “
The CDC says children can be vaccinated as soon as the flu shot is available – and women who are pregnant in their third trimester should also consider early vaccination, as it helps protect infants during the first months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated.
Can I be infected with both the coronavirus and the flu?
A possible “twinemia” of the COVID flu, which has worried experts since last season, has not materialized.
Chin-Hong said the two viruses circulating at the same time “can make matters worse by straining an already overburdened hospital system.” He and other experts warn of the co-infection of the two viruses, which could potentially cause serious illness.
“There is also the potential downside of having a lung infection, like the flu, which makes you more susceptible to another lung infection, like COVID, but there is less data on that at the moment,” a he declared.
Can I get a flu shot and a COVID vaccine or booster at the same time?
Yes. The CDC previously recommended that people space vaccines two weeks apart as a precaution, but now says they can be given at the same time. To minimize the reaction, the CDC advises receiving the vaccines in different arms, if possible. Smith further suggests receiving the COVID vaccine or booster in the non-dominant arm.
Where can I get the flu shot?
You can see your primary care doctor or your child’s pediatrician to make an appointment for a flu shot. Your local pharmacy will likely offer them as well, and many should show up without an appointment or offer online appointments. You can also check with community health clinics.
What else can I do to prevent the flu?
COVID health measures, including wearing a mask in public places and social distancing, are widely believed to have helped prevent the spread of the flu last year. These steps, along with getting a flu shot, can help reduce your chances of getting the flu.
Kellie Hwang is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @KellieHwang
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