Is There A New Flu Shot

Is There More Than One Type Of Flu Shot Available

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Yes. There are different flu vaccine manufacturers and multiple flu vaccines that are licensed and recommended for use in the United States.

For people younger than 65 years, CDC does not preferentially recommend any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine over another during the 2022-2023 flu season. Options for this age group include inactivated influenza vaccine , recombinant influenza vaccine , or live attenuated influenza vaccine , with no preference for any flu vaccine over another.

New for this season: For people 65 years and older, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended overstandard-dose, unadjuvanted flu vaccines. These are Fluzone High-DoseQuadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinantflu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine. More information is available at Flu & People 65 Years and Older.

All flu vaccines for the 2022-2023 season are quadrivalent vaccines, designed to protect against four different flu viruses, including two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Different vaccines are licensed for use in different age groups, and some vaccines are not recommended for some groups of people.

Available flu vaccines include:

Free Flu Vaccines Available At Several Dc Covid Centers

D.C. residents are encouraged to get their free flu vaccine shots while supplies last.

UPDATE: Flu vaccine doses are back in-stock and available now at DC Healths COVID Centers. To find a vaccine site near you, visit .

DC Health

On Monday, Mayor Bowser tweeted that residents can access free KN95 masks, flu shots, vaccinations, boosters, take-home rapid antigen tests as well as a new self-administered PCR test at the following COVID Centers.

Residents have access to free KN95 masks, flu shots, vaccinations, boosters, take-home rapid antigen tests as well as a new self-administered PCR test all in one place. Here are todayâs COVID Centers.

Although the exact timing of flu season varies, health officials recommend people get their flu shot beginning in October as flu activity often begins to increase.

UPDATE: Flu vaccine doses are back in-stock and available now at DC Healths COVID Centers. To find a vaccine site near you, visit .

DC Health

Flu shots change each year in an effort to target the strains scientists predict to be most prominent, and are effective for about six months.

The CDC advises against getting vaccinated too early, because protection may decrease over timebut defines too early as July or August.

What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine

All flu vaccines have a good safety record. The side effects tend to be mild and go away in 24 hours to 48 hours, Dr. Martin said. You may experience some soreness or slight swelling around the injection site. Other common side effects include a general feeling of malaise, headaches, muscle aches and nausea.

It is a common misconception that receiving a vaccine can give you the flu, Dr. Vijayan said. But the vaccines are designed so that the flu virus in them is either inactivated or changed, and for this reason they cannot make you sick.

Because it takes two weeks to build up protection from the vaccine, it is possible that you might catch the flu from someone else in that time frame. Or you may develop a slight fever in the day or two after your shot as a side effect of the injection.

Any time your immune system is revved up, you may feel a little bit tired, you may have some muscle aches, and you may even get a little bit of a fever, Dr. Vijayan said. Those are normal things to expect. Thats a sign that your immune system is preparing to fight the real deal.

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How Much Influenza Vaccine Is Projected To Be Available For The 2022

Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so supply depends on manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply the United States with as many as 173.5 million to 183.5 million doses of influenza vaccines for the 2022-2023 season. These projections may change as the season progresses. All flu vaccines for the 2022-2023 season will be quadrivalent . Most will be thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced vaccine , and about 20% of flu vaccines will be egg-free.

What Should I Do If I Have Had A Serious Reaction To Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when you got the flu shot.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System form, or call VAERS at 1-800-822-7967. Reports are welcome from all concerned individuals: patients, parents, health care providers, pharmacists and vaccine manufacturers.

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When Is The Best Time To Get A Flu Shot How Long Will Its Protection Last

Immunity against the flu tends to wane over the course of a season. You have higher protection a couple of weeks after receiving the shot, compared with four or five months later, so it is a good idea to schedule your vaccine appointment close to the beginning of flu season, and not too early, Dr. Martin said. I tend to get vaccinated in October so my antibodies are ramped up by the time holiday travel begins, she said.

Some people wait longer, until November or December, especially if they are keeping a close eye on cases. But experts agree that it is important to receive the vaccine before cases start to surge. Your body needs at least two weeks after the shot to ramp up its defenses against the flu. People who are more susceptible to severe flu especially older adults, pregnant women and very young children should not delay their shots.

Why Is It Important That I Receive A Flu Shot This Year

The health crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that preventing influenza during the 202021 flu season is more important than ever. Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses and share many symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. The prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.S. this year means you do not want the flu. A combination of both viruses, or one after the other, may have a serious impact on your well-being, respiratory health and overall ability to recover. While there is currently not a vaccine for COVID-19, getting your flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the complications, hospitalizations or death that influenza can cause. Preventing influenza can reduce the number of people who will need to seek medical care and testing for possible COVID-19 or influenza infection. Protecting yourself and loved ones with a flu vaccine also saves healthcare resources for the treatment of COVID-19 and other health conditions.

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You Need A Flu Shot Every Year

A new flu vaccine is produced every year to protect you during the upcoming flu season. It’s important that you get a new flu shot every year because:

flu viruses can change over time
the annual shot includes the strains expected to circulate in the upcoming season
the effectiveness of the flu shot can decrease over time, so receiving a vaccine each year helps to keep you protected

Where Can I Get A Flu Shot

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There are more places than ever to get your flu vaccination. Doctors offices, clinics and health departments offer the flu shot, but you may need to make an appointment in advance. Pharmacies have become an easy and convenient option to get your flu shot. At Walgreens, we offer flu shots to everyone 3 and older. You can make an appointment online, through our app or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS .

Delivery Of The Flu Shot In 2022

Not all flu shots are the same. Some arent even shots. Here are your 2022 flu vaccine options:

Nasal Spray: The nasal spray vaccine is the only kind to include a live attenuated influenza vaccine. Although it cant give you the flu, it does have a higher likelihood of inducing flu-like symptoms. This vaccine does not contain thimerosal or other preservatives. Its available only for patients aged 2 to 49.

For: People who cant stand the needle or jet spray or who want to avoid preservatives.

Inactivated shots are usually given with a needle, but Afluria Quadrivalent can be given to adults with a jet injector, which is basically a high-powered spray that penetrates the skin.

For: Needles can be used for everyone aged 6 months and older. The jet spray is approved for adults aged 18 to 64.

Why Get The Flu Shot

The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. The flu shot is recommended for almost everyone who is 6 months of age and older.

Children from 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have never had a flu shot before should receive 2 doses. It’s recommended that the interval be at least 4 weeks apart during the current flu season.

The flu shot helps to:

protect you if you’re exposed to the virus
prevent you from getting very sick from flu complications
protect people close to you because you’re less likely to spread the virus to them
reduce additional burden on the health care system as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic
reduce your chances of being infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which could lead to serious complications

The flu shot won’t protect you against COVID-19, so it’s also very important to be up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 vaccination: Book a booster appointment

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The Mother Of All Pandemics

The H1N1 influenza pandemic that swept across the world from 1918 to 1919, sometimes called the mother of all pandemics, involved a particularly virulent new strain of the influenza A virus. The first wave of infections in early 1918resulted in mild illness, but a second wave later that year was more deadly.

The 1918 pandemic is estimated to have infected 500 million people worldwide, killing between 20 and 50 million. The resulting death rates were so high that life expectancy rates around the world dropped by several years, and more people are thoughtto have died as a result of the flu pandemic than over the course of the entire First World War.

Researchers in the United States and Europe raced to find an effective vaccine against influenza during the pandemic years, and their efforts produced hundreds of thousands of doses but they were targeting the wrong pathogen.

What About People Who Get A Seasonal Flu Vaccine And Still Get Sick With Flu Symptoms

There are several reasons why someone might get flu symptoms even after they have been vaccinated against flu.

Someone can get sick with another respiratory virus besides flu such as rhinoviruses or SARS-CoV-2 . Other respiratory viruses can cause symptoms similar to flu, and they can also spread and cause illness during flu season. Flu vaccines only protect against flu and its complications, not other illnesses.
Someone can be exposed to flu viruses shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This exposure may result in a person becoming sick with flu before protection from vaccination takes effect.
Flu vaccines vary in how well they work, and someone can get vaccinated but still get sick with flu. There are many different flu viruses that spread and cause illness among people, so this can happen if someone is exposed to a flu virus that is very different from the viruses in the flu vaccine. The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends partially on the similarity or match between the vaccine viruses chosen to make vaccine and those spreading and causing illness. Even when that happens though, flu vaccination can still reduce severity of illness.

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Mayor Bowser And Dc Health Add Flu Shot Opportunities To Walk

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Health, led by Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, announced that the Districts walk-up vaccination sites will begin offering annual influenza shots. Earlier this month, Mayor Bowser encouraged residents to receive their flu shot by the end of October.

Beginning Wednesday, October 13, Fort Stanton Recreation Center and Columbia Heights Educational Campus will offer flu shots for residents ages 3 and older, in addition to COVID-19 vaccinations for those who are eligible.

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, Benning Library will offer flu shots for residents ages 3 and older, in addition to COVID-19 vaccinations for those who are eligible. The clinic at Benning Library will also change its hours for Tuesdays and Wednesdays to 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Like the COVID-19 vaccine, flu shots are also free at the Districts walk-up vaccination sites. While residents are encouraged to bring their insurance information, it is not required. Individuals without insurance will still receive their vaccination. No one will be turned away or and no one will be charged.

Residents can find days and hours for the Districts walk-up vaccination sites at vaccinate.dc.gov.

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Isolation Precaution Guidance For Nmems Fire And Law Enforcement

If signs or symptoms of acute febrile respiratory illness are not present, proceed with normal EMS care with standard precautions.
If the patient exhibits signs and symptoms of an acute febrile respiratory illness, standard precautions PLUS droplet precautions should be used for all direct patient care activities.

Aerosol-generating procedures:

When medically essential, all EMS personnel engaged in aerosol generating activities should utilize fit-tested disposable N95 masks OR powered air purifying respirator , disposable non-sterile gloves, eye protection , and gown.

Consult with your medical director regarding modifications or changes to treatment protocol/guidelines that may be required.

Infection Control Precautions During Transport

Place a surgical mask on the patient. If this is not possible, have the patient cover mouth/nose with tissue when coughing or use another practical method to contain cough Note: Small facemasks are available that can be worn by children, but it may be problematic for children to wear them correctly and consistently. No facemasks or respirators have been cleared by the FDA specifically for use by children.
If you transport the patient with acute febrile respiratory illness, keep the windows of your vehicle open and set the heating and air-conditioning systems on a non-recirculating cycle.
Notify the receiving healthcare facility so that appropriate infection control precautions may be taken prior to patient arrival.

Information For Health Care Professionals For Administering Flu Vaccine During The Covid

CDC developed guidance on drive-through vaccination clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Curbside and drive-through vaccination clinics are an option for vaccination clinics.

No. Flu vaccination should be deferred for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms, until they have met the criteria to discontinue their isolation. While mild illness is not a contraindication to flu vaccination, vaccination visits for these people should be postponed to avoid exposing health care personnel and other patients to the virus that causes COVID-19. When scheduling or confirming appointments for flu vaccination, patients should be instructed to notify the health care professionals office or clinic in advance if they currently have or develop any symptoms of COVID-19.

Flu vaccination should be deferred until a patient is no longer acutely ill. This may be different for patients who are already being cared for in a medical setting than it is for patients who are isolating at home. In a medical setting, the timing for vaccination is a matter of clinical discretion. In general, patients who are isolating at home should wait until they meet criteria for leaving isolation to come to a vaccination setting in order to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. CDC has guidance for when people can be around others after having COVID-19.

I Hope Nobody Thinks That Because Vaccines Are Being Made On Annual Basis They Are Of Inferior Quality Pedro Pietra Baylor College Of Medicine

COVID-19 vaccine advice changed as fourth wave hits | Coronavirus | 9 News Australia

This system works well enough when seasonal flu strains change only slightly, because our immune system can still recognize the virus, even though the changes cause the antibodies to be less effective. Pietra points out that its a whole different ballgame when a completely novel influenza virus arises. That can cause a pandemic, because we havent seen it, he said. Something similar to what happened in 2009 and 2010, with the novel H1N1. Even so, the new influenza virus behaves basically the same way, and a vaccine can be made using the same systems, but incorporating the novel antigens.

After months of studying the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, researchers know that the so-called spike protein on its surface induces antibody production. So why cant vaccine makers use the same strategy they use for the seasonal flu shot, but substituting the spike protein?

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Why Do I Need To Get Vaccinated Every Year

Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot every year, according to the CDC. Because flu viruses are continually evolving, the flu vaccination must be updated every year to ensure protection against the most recent strain. Furthermore, the flu vaccineâs immunity diminishes over time, so a yearly dose can offer you with the best protection, according to the CDC.

How Much Does It Cost And Where Can I Get It

Most insurers cover the cost of flu vaccines as part of preventive care. People who are 65 or older enrolled in Medicare Part B plans and most people on Medicaid can also receive their annual flu shots at no personal cost. And those without any insurance can access free or low-cost flu shots through state health departments, employer vouchers or federal initiatives like the Vaccines for Children Program.

You can use the C.D.C.s vaccine portal to find clinics, pharmacies and other locations that offer flu vaccines near you.

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