Influenza Vaccination 2021-22 – Flu season is just around the corner. – About 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population is affected by flu each year. – Flu season begins in October or November, peaks in January or February and can continue through May. – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu every year. – It takes about two weeks for the vaccination to build the antibodies. – All flu vaccines will be quadrivalent (four component), meaning designed to protect against four different flu viruses. – Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time. – Flu vaccines are typically between 40% and 60% effective from year to year. – If you’ve recently received or will be receiving a COVID-19 vaccine — including booster doses — you don’t have to wait a certain time to get the flu vaccine. You can even get them on the same day, if that’s more convenient. These two vaccines aren’t known to interfere with each other. – The high-dose flu shot is designed for people over 65 years of age. Our immune system response weakens with age, therefore the regular flu vaccine is not very effective in this age group and a vaccine with 4 times the amount of antigens is able to provide better protection which is extremely important in this age group. – Common side-effects of flu vaccine include soreness, redness and some swelling at the vaccination site, sometimes low grade fever, headache or muscle aches, but most of these symptoms are short-lived. – Avoid vaccination if: 1) have had a bad reaction to a previous influenza vaccination, 2) are younger than 6 months, 3) have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or 4) currently have an illness with fever. -Taking the flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself against the flu. – Schedule your appointment for the flu vaccine with your healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Disclaimer: The information is intended to provide general education for patients and their families. The information provided does not constitute medical or health care advice for any individual and is not a substitute for medical and other professional advice and service. Author Mahesh S. Ochaney, MD
