This year’s flu shot is different. Why a UK HealthCare doctor says you should get it
As of early November, flu activity in Kentucky is low, but if a rise in pediatric cases nationally is any indication, there’s likely to be more cases among adults soon, particularly with holiday gatherings quickly approaching.
This year’s flu season will be defined by a reformulated vaccine, which will exclude one long-running strain now thought to be extinct post-Covid, as reported by NPR.
So how effective is this updated flu vaccine? To break it down, here are some insights from Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels of University of Kentucky HealthCare. Van Sickels spoke to the Herald-Leader Wednesday in a call with local media.
How effective is this year’s flu vaccine?
This year’s flu vaccine is expected to be less effective at preventing hospitalization among high-risk groups, according to a recent report from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That said, it’s still within the expected range of effectiveness. According to the Mayo Clinic, flu season data since 2009 indicates the shot offers protection from a low of 22% to a high of 56%. What that means at a societal level is millions of fewer illnesses and visits to health care providers, along with preventing thousands of deaths each year.
A flu shot also offers individuals a solid layer of protection against the virus. As explained by Van Sickels, you’re still better off with it than without it.
“Even when the flu vaccine is not very effective, you might still get the flu, but you won’t get as sick with the flu,” Van Sickels said.
Sure, most people recover from the flu within a week, but it may take you a few weeks to feel 100% better. Not to mention, if you do get the flu and aren’t vaccinated, you could be down for the count for several days.
When should you get your flu shot?
Generally, the best time to get your flu shot is in October because it can take up to two weeks for your body to build immunity. October has come and gone, but still, better late than never.
Flu season typically peaks between December and February, but the coronavirus pandemic has shifted that peak somewhat and made it harder to predict, the CDC says.
Setting all this aside, Van Sickels recommends getting your flu shot whenever you can, as soon as you can.
“Get it whenever you can,” Van Sickels said. “The sweet spot, if you look at the timelines of typical flu activity, is somewhere in September or October, because that’ll give you protection for when cases start to rise in November through March. Every year is a little bit different.”
The CDC recommends everyone from 6 months of age and older get this year’s COVID-19 and flu vaccines. It is safe to receive both vaccines during the same visit.
If you need help find out where you can get a flu shot, visit vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code for a list of pharmacies and other health care providers near you. If you do not have insurance, the Lexington Fayette County Health Department offers flu vaccines to the uninsured and under-insured. To make a same-day appointment, call 859-288-2483.
Side effects from the flu vaccine are normal and are a sign your body’s immune system is responding. In other words, it’s working and your body is building immunity.
According to the CDC, common side effects from a flu shot can include:
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Fever
Nausea
Headache
Soreness, redness or swelling around where the shot was given
How to avoid catching a bug during the holidays
While they can be fun and a nice break from your routine, family gatherings and office parties around the holidays also present opportunities for seasonal respiratory viruses to spread.
There are ways to minimize risk to your family and friends, particularly those with weakened or compromised immune systems.
“Increase the aeration. Of course, it might be very cold here in Lexington at Thanksgiving, but if you increase the airflow in the room, you reduce the risk of spread of infection to others,” Van Sickels said. “If you are someone that really needs to be there, you can eat in a separate room so that you’re not having that shared space and maybe can still enjoy some of the get-togethers.”
Do you have a question about your health or health care in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.