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(WWLP– A cooler weather has started to be felt and, like that, the flu season is back.
Will this year be as bad as last year?
According to the Center for Disease Control, last year, 700,000 people were hospitalized with the flu. It's not so easy to tell if this year will be so bad.
"It would be nice if we could predict something. Unfortunately, it is not possible. Each season differs at the beginning and end of each season and how serious and widespread the cases will be, "said Dr. Megan Gallagher, who recently joined the Division of Infectious Diseases at Baystate Medical Center.
Flu Vaccine and FluMist
Gallagher said it was better to get vaccinated sooner than later because the vaccine can take up to two weeks before you accumulate to protect yourself from the flu.
The CDC recommends that all children six months of age and older be vaccinated against influenza. Gallagher said the fact that last year's vaccine proved only 25-40% effective depending on the strain is no excuse for not being vaccinated.
"Even a 25% effectiveness can help reduce your risk of getting the flu," Gallagher said. "In addition, even if you get the flu, people who are vaccinated tend to be less affected than others. . "
The CDC says the vaccine has been updated to better match the 2018-2019 influenza season. According to Baystate Health, another change in the flu season is the return of FluMist.
The nasal spray has not been recommended by the CDC in the last two years due to questions about effectiveness, but this year it is back and has been reformulated.
High risk
Whatever the year, one thing remains the same: children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the flu.
"If you're over 65, ask if the high-dose vaccine is available when you get your vaccine," says Gallagher. "If it's available, it could offer better protection against the flu than the regular vaccine. However, if it is not available, you should receive the regular vaccine. The most important thing is to get vaccinated against the flu and do not delay. "
According to Dr. Michael Klatte of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Baystate Children's Hospital, getting the flu shot for your child is "the most important thing you can do to protect and protect other members of your family." your family".
Even if your child has never been vaccinated against the flu, it's not too late to start.
"Children aged 6 months to 8 years who have never received at least two doses of influenza vaccine at some point in their lives (not necessarily in the same influenza season) require two doses of influenza vaccine at the same time. at least four weeks apart – to be totally protected against the flu, "according to Baystate Health.
Klatte says that although the CDC has stated that children over two years old have the choice between influenza vaccine or FluMist, the American Academy of Pediatrics still advises that the vaccine is the first choice of children.
Myths / Fears
Can people with egg allergy be vaccinated against influenza?
According to Baystate Health, there are now flu shots that do not contain egg protein, such as Flublok. There are also other influenza vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that do not contain egg protein and are approved for people aged 18 and older.
I'm afraid of needles
According to Baystate Health, people who are afraid of needles or have suffered arm pain after the flu vaccine has another option. It is a jet injector and a short needle that injects the vaccine just under the skin. It can be used for individuals aged 18 to 64 years.
protection
In addition to being vaccinated, Baystate's Dr. Gallagher is back on track.
"I can not stress enough the importance of washing hands to reduce the spread of germs, especially during the influenza season, and stay away from other patients," she added. sick, do not go to work or send it to school where the disease can be passed on to others.
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