Flu season is here and it’s not too late to get your shot. Influenza sickens 40 million Americans annually, killing between 12,000 and 52,000. Yet only 50% of adults and 60% of children in this country get the vaccine, which can prevent 7.5 million cases and decrease fatalities by 6,500. Another way to look at it: For every 4,000 Americans vaccinated, one death is prevented.
The CDC recommends the shot for everyone over six months of age. It’s even more important for those in high-risk groups, including pregnant women, adults over 65 and those living in long-term care facilities or with weak immune systems. People who have underlying heart disease are more likely to suffer a heart attack while sick with the flu; diabetics are more likely to be hospitalized. Those with asthma and emphysema are at increased risk for viral pneumonia.
This year there are eight brands of flu shots and one nasal mist. Which one you receive is primarily based on your age. Five of the injectables are standard doses given to those under 65. Because the immune system weakens as we get older, the CDC recommends those over 65 receive one of the three stronger brands, Fluad Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose, which is the strongest. Egg allergy is no longer a reason to avoid the flu shot: There are two egg-free vaccines to choose from, Flublok Quadrivalent or Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
Any of the flu shots can cause redness and swelling around the injection site and side effects—a headache, feeling feverish and sick—that can last two or three days. But you cannot catch the flu from the flu shot. The vaccine takes two weeks to become protective, so if you contract viral symptoms during that time it’s likely you got sick from exposure to someone. It was just bad timing!
Some people should not get the shot. If you have a fever or are sick, reschedule your vaccination and speak to your doctor. If you’re among the one in 760,000 who have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot, you cannot have the vaccine and must discuss flu prevention and treatment with your allergist or PCP. Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) must also speak to their physician before having a shot. GBS involves nerve damage that can lead to paralysis after a bacterial or viral infection. Still, it is far more likely to contract this rare disease from being sick with the flu than it is from getting vaccinated.
Overwhelmingly, the benefits of the flu shot outweigh the minimal risk. It is widely available, and is almost always free. It is covered under Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Vaccines for Adults is a New York State program that provides free vaccines to eligible adults, including the uninsured 19 and older. Go to health.ny.gov for more information.