Do You Have To Get A Flu Shot

What Has Johnson & Johnson Said About A Second Booster Shot

A study of 69,000 health care workers released last week by the South African Medical Research Council found that, for those who already received the J& J vaccine, Ad26.COV.2, a booster given six to nine months later raised their odds against hospitalization from 63% to 85%.The research was conducted between mid-November and mid-December 2021, when the omicron variant represented 98% of all confirmed COVID cases in South Africa, suggesting the vaccine offers strong protection against the highly contagious strain.

“This adds to our growing body of evidence which shows that the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine remains strong and stable over time, including against circulating variants such as omicron and delta,” Dr. Mathai Mammen, global head of Janssen Research & Development, a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, said in a statement.

For more on COVID-19, here’s how the new omicron variant is different from the delta strain, what to know about the Moderna COVID booster and how to choose which booster shot to get.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Why The Flu Shot Still Matters

If youve had COVID-19, you still need a flu shot because different viruses cause the two diseases. A novel coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, causes COVID-19, and several influenza viruses that change every year cause the flu, the CDCexplains.

TheCDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices determines the three or four flu viruses that are most likely to circulate in the next flu season, and vaccine manufacturers update the flu shot accordingly. In the United States, updates that address genetic changes in two influenza A viruses and one or two influenza B viruses are included in each seasons flu vaccines.

The Coronavirus Pandemic: Key Things To Know

The latest Covid data in the U.S.As the Omicron surge causes case counts to reach record highs and hospitalizations to surpass the height of the Delta wave, heres how to think about the data and what its beginning to show about Omicrons potential toll across the county.

Around the world.In Europe, Germany is bracing for major protests against restrictions after thousands took to the streets in France and Austria, and a tough new vaccine requirement came into force in Italy. In Uganda, schools reopened after the longest pandemic-prompted shutdown in the world.

Staying safe.Worried about spreading Covid? Keep yourself and others safe by following some basic guidance on when to test and how to use at-home virus tests . Here is what to do if you test positive for the coronavirus.

Given such prospects, what makes vaccinating more older adults such a challenge? Improvement appears possible. The C.D.C. has reported that last year when public health strategies emphasized flattening the hospitalization curve, protecting essential workers and preserving resources for Covid patients the proportion of older people who were vaccinated against flu rose 9.5 percent in selected jurisdictions.

Further, a new C.D.C. study has found that three-quarters of unvaccinated Medicare beneficiaries actually visit a health care provider during flu season, with even more such missed opportunities among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries.

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Who Should Get A Flu Vaccine This Season

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. A full listing of people at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications is available.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people.

• There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months old and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older.
• Flu shots also are recommended for pregnant people and people with certain chronic health conditions.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant people who are 2 years through 49 years of age. People who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

There are many vaccine options to choose from. CDC does not recommend any one flu vaccine over another. The most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year.

If you have questions about which flu vaccine to get, talk to your doctor or other health care professional. More information is available at Who Should Get Vaccinated.

Who Should Get A Flu Shot

All Nova Scotians over 6 months old are encouraged to get a flu shot, but especially people at high risk of complications, including:

• Adults 65 years of age and older
• The immune system changes with age and this can make it make it harder for the body to fight off infections. People over 65 are also more likely to have health conditions that can get worse if they get the flu.
• Babies and children aged 6 months to 5 years
• Because of their age, babies’ and children’s immune systems are still building immunity to fight off serious infections.
• Pregnant people
• During pregnancy, the body goes through many changes that can make it harder for the body to fight off infections.
• People who get the flu shot during pregnancy pass on immunity to their baby. Babies younger than 6 months can’t get vaccinated against the flu. Getting your flu shot can help protect your baby from the flu after birth.
• Anyone with chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma and diabetes
• These conditions can affect a person’s immune system and make it harder to fight off infections.
• People at high risk of COVID-19 related illness
• People at high risk for COVID-19-related illness should get a flu shot this year. Getting a flu shot reduces the risk of severe illness that could happen when someone catches both COVID-19 and the flu.

People who live with or care for people in the high-risk groups are also encouraged to get a flu shot because they’re more likely to spread the flu to those in high-risk groups.

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Get Your Flu Shot Covid

Have you had your flu shot yet? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months get a flu shot every season with rare exceptions.

Now amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu. And you can get both shots at the same time.

“In most places, flu starts circulating by November, December. So it’s recommended that everyone complete their flu vaccine by October,” says Priya Sampathkumar, M.D., a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, communities are on the verge of another flu season. This year, it’s more important than ever to be vaccinated for influenza as soon as possible.

“It’s possible that the viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu may spread in your community at the same time during flu season,” says Emily Majerus, a physician assistant in Family Medicine in Austin, Minnesota, and the mobile health clinic. “If this happens, people could become ill with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. Getting vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu can reduce their spread.”

Flu cases were low in 2020. And health experts attribute that to the COVID-19 pandemic and the preventive measures put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Flu and COVID-19 are caused by respiratory viruses and have similar symptoms.

And if you haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19 yet, or need a third or booster vaccination, you can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at the same time.

Why Would I Need A Fourth Vaccine Dose Isn’t One Booster Enough

, more than 200 million Americans were considered fully vaccinated against the COVID virus with either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s.

But it may be time to redefine what “fully vaccinated” means: By October, it became apparent that isn’t enough to sustain COVID antibodies long-term, especially against potent strains like the newer omicron variant: One study from the UK’s Health Security Agency indicated protection waned as much as 65% after just 10 weeks.

Some medical experts are suggesting we consider three shots as a new baseline.

“I think we will stop calling people with two shots fully vaccinated within a week or two,” Robert Wachter, the chair of UCSF’s Department of Medicine, said in an online discussion last month hosted by the San Francisco Chronicle. “I just think they’re not. I wish they were,” he said. “Omicron is going to make that case quite vivid.”

Nearly 100 million Americans have received a booster shot but even before the omicron variant emerged, disease experts were already considering the need for an annual booster to top off protection as the effectiveness waned and new variants emerged.

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Flu Vaccines Protect You

Have you had a flu shot? Most kids have and there’s good reason. Like all vaccines , this one can protect you from a pretty awful illness the flu.

The flu is caused by a virus . The flu vaccine helps your body get ready to defend itself against that virus in case it tries to invade your body.

There are two types of flu vaccines:

• A shot, given with a needle.
• A spray mist, given into the nose.

For the 20202021 flu season, both types seem to work well. You should get whatever type of vaccine your doctor suggests. Some kids can’t get the spray mist, such as those with weak immune systems or some medical conditions like asthma.

Wondering If You Need To Make An Appointment For A Flu Shot At A Pharmacy Read This

With flu season around the corner, we’re preparing for potentially one of our history’s most intense flu seasons. And while there are a lot of things you can do to help prevent your chances of catching the nasty bug, getting a flu shot should be at the top of your list. But finding a good time for a pharmacy visit might be a bit tricky, especially as some have eliminated walk-ins altogether. Which poses the question: do you need an appointment to get a flu shot?

For most major pharmacies, the answer is no however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly recommended to schedule an appointment to limit contact with other patients and your time within the store.

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Still Getting The Flu

Sometimes you can get the flu shot and still come down with the flu. It takes around 2 weeks after receiving the vaccination for your body to develop immunity. During this time, you can still get catch the flu.

Another reason why you can still catch the flu is if there wasnt a good vaccine match. Researchers need to decide which strains to include in the vaccine many months before flu season actually starts.

When theres not a good match between the selected strains and the strains that actually end up circulating during flu season, the vaccine isnt as effective.

Who Should And Who Should Not Get A Flu Vaccine

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza vaccine every season, with rare exceptions. For the 2021-2022 flu season, three main types of influenza vaccines will be available. Two kindsthe inactivated influenza vaccines and the recombinant influenza vaccine are injectable . The third type, the live attenuated influenza vaccine , is given by nasal spray. Different influenza vaccines are approved for different age groups. Some people should not get some types of influenza vaccines, and some people should not receive influenza vaccines at all . Everyone who is vaccinated should receive a vaccine that is appropriate for their age and health status. There is no preference for any one vaccine over another.

• Who Should be Prioritized for Flu Vaccination During a Vaccine Shortage

This page includes information on who should and who should not get an influenza vaccine, and who should talk to a health care professional before vaccination. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions regarding which influenza vaccines are best for you and your family.

All persons aged 6 months of age and older are recommended for annual flu vaccination, with rare exception.

Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.

People who can get the flu shot:

Flu shots are appropriate for most people.

People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:

People who SHOULD NOT get a nasal spray vaccine:

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Would Everyone Be Eligible For A Fourth Covid Vaccine Dose

Scientists in Germany, Israel, the UK and other countries are considering a fourth shot of a COVID-19 vaccine for the general public. Fauci said a fourth jab is “conceivable” in the US, too.

The omicron variant is changing the definition of full vaccine protection, Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech, which makes a vaccine in partnership with Pfizer, said in a statement. “With the data now coming for the omicron variant, it is very clear our vaccine for the omicron variant should be a three-dose vaccine.”

If three doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are needed to protect against omicron, the timeline for a fourth shot could be pushed up to as early as March, Pfizer executives said.

“I think it is very likely that we will need a fourth booster, possibly already this spring, particularly if omicron continues to dominate,” Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer’s chief scientific officer, told CBS News.

Is It Safe To Receive Doses Of The Flu And Covid

Yes — and you can even get them on the same day if you havent yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. Receiving both does not change the effectiveness of either vaccine or cause more side effects. Both vaccines can be given during the same appointment and current Duke Health patients can schedule a flu or COVID-19 vaccination through Duke MyChart. If youre not a current patient, you can still use Duke Healths scheduling system to set a time to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge to a patient and if you have medical insurance, a flu vaccine is also typically free.

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The Most Common Covid Symptoms Now

Scientists with the COVID Symptom Study have been tracking symptoms associated with newly diagnosed COVID cases since early in the pandemic. Their data indicates that the five most reported Omicron symptoms are the same as those associated with Deltasymptoms that may be confused with the common cold, including runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat.

People who’ve contracted the Omicron variant have also frequently reported loss of appetite and brain fog, the researchers said.

Myth #: You Don’t Need To Get The Flu Vaccine Every Year

There are two reasons why doctors recommend that people get the flu vaccine every year, Cunningham said.

For one, the strains of the flu virus that are circulating change from year to year. “It’s like the common cold there’s more than one type of virus that causes the flu,” and, in fact, there are hundreds of flu viruses, he said.

Each year, health officials identify the virus strains that are the most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season, according to the CDC.

Second, the immunity you develop after getting the shot wanes by the following year. “If you get your shot in August, you’ll be safe through March, but those antibodies won’t be for the next flu season,” Cunningham said.

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Flu Vaccine For People With Long

The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including:

• a learning disability
• problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

Talk to your doctor if you have a long-term condition that is not in one of these groups. They should offer you the flu vaccine if they think you’re at risk of serious problems if you get flu.

I Still Got The Flu After The Flu Vaccine Why Should I Get The Flu Vaccine This Year

Although the flu vaccine wont prevent every case of the flu, getting an annual vaccination is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Getting the flu vaccine may make illness milder. A 2017 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases showed that influenza vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized influenza patients.

A flu shot cannot cause flu illness. If you get flu-like symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine, there may be a few reasons why you have a low grade fever, and headache, including that they may be mild side-effects of the vaccine. If you get diagnosed with the flu shortly after receiving the flu vaccine, you may have been exposed to the flu virus beforehand, as it takes approximately two weeks for the vaccine to work.

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