What Does Flu Shot Help With

Why Is It Important To Get A Flu Shot During The Covid

For the upcoming flu season, flu vaccination will be very important to reduce flu because it can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the population and lessen the resulting burden on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A flu vaccine may also provide several individual health benefits, including keeping you from getting sick with flu, reducing the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reducing your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

CKD causes a decreased immune response, increasing your vulnerability to infections. You face a greater risk of getting certain diseases and developing severe complications. Also, patients with CKD have a higher risk of death from the flu.

If you have CKD, are on dialysis or have received a kidney transplant, ask your healthcare professional about getting the flu shot.

What Are The Side Effects Of Influenza Vaccine

Like all medicines, the flu vaccine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Who’s Eligible For A Flu Shot

Most people ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot, according to the CDC, including those who are pregnant, where an infection with the flu could harm their developing baby. Exceptions to this recommendation would be if you had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, or another “contraindication” .

If you’re over age 65, your doctor might offer you a higher-dose flu vaccine to give your immune system an extra boost, and the CDC warns older adults shouldn’t get the flu vaccine too early because that may leave too much time for immunity to wane. Pregnant people, people with certain medical conditions and older adults shouldn’t take the nasal spray vaccine because it contains a live virus.

But typically, you should get whatever flu vaccine is offered and available to you, Salmon says, and the brand or type shouldn’t matter.

Additionally, you may get your flu shot with any other vaccine you’re scheduled to get, including the COVID-19 vaccine. And who knows — in the future, it’s possible we could have a combination flu/COVID-19 vaccine. In early September, COVID-19 vaccine-maker Moderna announced it was developing a vaccine that combines a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine with its experimental flu vaccine. It’s being tested and isn’t available yet, but it could be an important development in health care if it proves effective and COVID-19 becomes a seasonal virus.

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What If I’m Vaccinated Can I Still Get Covid

Yes. The three approved COVID vaccines are amazingly effective, but they’re not 100%. A very small number of fully-vaccinated people will still get sick.

Those vaccinated can still become breakthrough cases. They may not feel sick. Still, they could carry similar viral loads to unvaccinated carriers in their nose and throat, according to the CDC. Although delta isnt necessarily any more lethal than other variant, it can kill huge numbers of people simply because it infects so many more, said Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Also, if you are vaccinated, you may be protected against the virus but you can still spread it to others who may not be vaccinated or may be immunocompromised.

Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I Have An Egg Allergy

The influenza vaccine is typically grown in eggs. But the traces of egg protein that remain after the vaccine is made are so tiny that the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy says both adults and children with egg allergy can be safely vaccinated against the flu. The risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination is very low, estimated at 1.35 cases per 1 million doses.

It is rare for people with egg allergy to experience other side effects, such as hives, wheezing, vomiting or abdominal pain, after getting the flu shot. If you are concerned, ask your doctor if you, or your child, can be observed by staff for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine .

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Will There Be Flu Along With Covid

While its not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, the CDC believes its likely that both flu viruses and COVID-19 will be active in 2021/2022. Therefore, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated

People eligible for a free flu vaccineEligible people can get a free vaccination from their family doctor/general practice. It is usually the practice nurse who gives the vaccine. Many community pharmacies provide free flu vaccinations to people aged 13 years and older and pregnant women . People who are not eligible to receive a free flu vaccineThe flu vaccination is available from:

• your family doctor/general practice

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Why You May Still Get Sick After A Flu Shot

Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.

An annual flu shot offers you the best protection against the influenza virus and is recommended for most individuals 6 months and older. It is still possible for you to get sick after a flu shot, but this isn’t because of what’s in the shot. The flu vaccine is made from killed, or inactivated, viruses that can’t give you the flu.

This article explores the reasons why you may get sick after the flu shot. It will also explain how the vaccine may help reduce symptoms and complications if you do end up getting the flu.

Verywell / Joshua Seong

How Effective Is The Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine gives the best protection against flu.

Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there’s still a chance you might get flu.

If you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.

Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu.

It can take 10 to 14 days for the flu vaccine to work.

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What Is The Cell

The production of influenza vaccines traditionally involves hens eggs. However, there is a different method for cell-based influenza vaccines such as Flucelvax Quad, the only cell-based flu vaccine approved for use in Australia. Its approved for use in people aged 9 years and older but has not been added to the National Immunisation Program schedule.

Studies show that cell-based vaccines have a similar efficacy and safety profile to standard flu vaccines. Normally, neither type is recommended over the other.

However, standard flu vaccines are preferred for use in pregnancy because a large body of evidence supports their safety for pregnant women. The safety of cell-based flu vaccines during pregnancy hasnt been assessed.

Will We Need An Annual Covid Booster Shot

With vaccines appearing to offer waning protection and a continuing evolution of COVID variants, Hoge said we will most likely need seasonal boosters, much like we do with the flu, at least to protect those at high risk of infection. The new research from UKHSA strongly indicates reduced protection from vaccine boosters after 10 weeks.

The CDC updated its guidance to indicate that, starting in 2022, some immunocompromised people will be able to get a fourth COVID-19 booster shot.

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Are Flu Vaccines Effective Against All Types Of Flu And Cold Viruses

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against infection and illness caused by the four flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season. Flu vaccines do not protect against infection and illness caused by other viruses that also can cause flu-like symptoms. There are many other viruses besides flu viruses that can result in flu-like illness* that spread during the flu season. These non-flu viruses include rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus , which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children, and a major cause of severe respiratory illness in adults 65 years and older.

Why You Should Still Get A Flu Shot This Year

Nov. 10, 2021 — The flu shot is far less effective than the COVID-19 vaccines, causes more side effects, and targets an infectious disease that most people survive, with the flu killing only a fraction of those who die from coronavirus.

So should you even bother getting a flu shot this year?

Health experts say the short answer is yes.

They point to three key reasons federal health authorities recommend the flu shot for everyone 6 months old and older:

âIt’s really important to reduce the risk of getting the flu, which is what the flu vaccine does,â says Leana Wen, MD, an emergency medicine doctor and public health policy professor at George Washington University. âThis is particularly important this year, when we could very well face the confluence of influenza and COVID-19.â

She notes that flu shots, as well as COVID-19 vaccines, donât protect only those who receive them.

Why Flu Shot Effectiveness Varies

What Can We Expect This Year?

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Seasonal Flu And Covid

Every flu season is unique and influenza infection can affect people differently. Millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized, and thousands of people die from flu-related causes. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against the flu. Vaccination has many benefits including reducing the risk or severity of flu illnesses and hospitalizations, and even the risk of flu-related death in children.

Vaccination to prevent the flu is important for people who are at increased risk for severe illness and complications from the flu. People at high risk from the flu include those with chronic kidney disease at any stage, including patients on dialysis and kidney transplant recipients.

What Does The Moderna Booster Shot Do

As the vaccine’s effectiveness decreases over time, a COVID-19 booster shot — whether from Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson — recharges your body’s immune response and guards against a breakthrough infection.

Recent studies of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines show that their effectiveness can begin to wane after six months. Moderna said early data suggests that those who received the Moderna vaccine in 2020 are showing a higher rate of breakthrough COVID-19 infections than those vaccinated this year, suggesting the need for a booster to maintain high levels of protection.

For more on coronavirus treatments and vaccines, here’s what we know about monoclonal antibody treatments, the new federal vaccine mandates and why some people may not want the shot.

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.

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The Flu Is More Serious Than You May Realize

According to a study by the CDC, more than 200,000 people in the United States, on average, are hospitalized each year for illnesses associated with seasonal influenza virus infections. The flu can also be deadly.

Certain groups of adults are at higher risk for serious illness and complications from the flu, including:

• People with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.
• People with heart disease and those who have had a stroke.
• People who have HIV or AIDS.
• People who have cancer.

The Flu Vaccine Is The Most Effective Way To Prevent Illness Caused By Seasonal Influenza Viruses

The CDC estimates that the flu vaccine reduces a persons risk of developing flu-related illness serious enough to require a doctors visit by 61 percent. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine may vary from year to year based on several factors, including how closely the flu vaccine matches circulating flu strains.

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What Precautions Should I Take Against The Omicron Variant

“At the rate that it seems to be spreading, there isn’t a surveillance system on the planet truly that could keep up with it,” Bronwyn MacInnis, director of pathogen genomic surveillance at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, said.

In some parts of the country, there are hints omicron already accounts for about 15% of cases, said Jeremy Luban, a virus expert at the UMass Chan Medical School.

Omicron has been moving faster even than the most pessimistic among us thought that it was going to move,” said Dr. Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease expert at Massachusetts General Hospital. Theres a high likelihood that it will come to your holiday gathering.

Take the same steps that have been effective at preventing or reducing the risk of COVID infection: vaccination, masks in indoor public places or around vulnerable people, social distancing, boosters if you received your first shots more than six months ago. Pay attention to the COVID numbers in your area if there are a higher number of cases and a lower percentage of vaccinated people you may want to take more precautions.

The CDC has updated its guidance, recommending that all adults 18 and older should get a booster shot either six months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine series or two months after their initial J& J vaccine.

Omicron precautions: CDC director says recommendations for protection the same, ‘regardless of the variant’

Influenza Vaccine For 2021

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Q& a With Pharmacy Expert Hai Tran Pharmd

As the first cases of flu are reported in Los Angeles this season, public health experts are urging anyone who isn’t already vaccinated to get the flu shot. It’s the best protection against the flu, which could pummel the U.S. this winter after nearly disappearing last year.

“Getting vaccinated against the flu reduces your risk of becoming infected as well as your risk of being hospitalized with an infection or dying,” said clinical pharmacist Hai Tran, PharmD, associate director of Pharmacy at Cedars-Sinai. “You not only protect yourself but also those around you, and you are helping build the herd immunity that protects the most vulnerable people in our community.”

With everyone paying more attention to how vaccines work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom interviewed Tran to get a closer look at the flu vaccine. It’s easy to take this long-established tool for granted, but a lot of work throughout the year goes into developing a new formulation of the shot each season.

We spoke with Tran for more details on the flu shot’s origins, how it works and how it’s developed each year.

Everything You Need To Know About The Flu Shot

Copyright: zurijeta / 123RF Stock Photo

With the temperature cooling down, that means it’s time for cold and flu season again. This year, it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot. It won’t protect you against Covid-19, but it can reduce your risk of getting the flu. Getting your flu shot can also keep you from having to visit a hospital, which keep nurses and doctors available to care for patients with Covid-19.

There are a couple of things you can do to avoid getting sick, like washing your hands. If you’re not sure how to wash your hands the right way , we’ve got some great handwashing tips!

But one thing that can really help is getting your flu shot. But how exactly does the flu shot work?

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