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The Flu Vaccine - Who Should Get It and Why?
With cold and flu season upon us, many people have questions about the flu vaccine and whether getting a flu shot will protect them against the swine flu pandemic.
Flu Vaccine 101
The seasonal flu vaccine comes in two forms. The shot, that contains killed viruses, and the nasal spray made with live, weak flu viruses. Both forms of the vaccine contain three of the most common viruses, two of which are type A viruses and one type B virus. The medicine’s exact contents changes annually. The formula change is based on projections regarding which viral strains will be most predominant. The swine flu is not in the current flu vaccine.
The Best Time to Inoculate
Flu season usually begins in fall and lasts until spring, with the worst month being January. It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to really begin protecting you against infection. That means that getting the vaccine in September (or when it’s readily available) is the best bet for staying healthy.
Do You Need the Vaccine?
There is no question that the flu vaccine decreases your risks of getting the seasonal flu. It will not, however, protect you against swine flu. A vaccine for the swine flu is in production and you should consult your physician to see if he or she recommends it for you.
For seasonal flu, there are various groups of individuals to who doctors recommend annual flu shots. These include:
- People over 50
- Individuals with medical conditions like asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
- Elderly individuals living in group care facilities
- Pregnant women
- Children between the ages of 6 months and 19 years old
- People working in direct health care situations
Note that only individuals over the age of 2 and under the age of 50 can use the nasal spray version.
The use of the flu vaccine is counter-indicated for people who have had previous reactions to flu injections, individuals who have egg allergies, children under the age of 6, or anyone who is already ill with a fever.
Does it Work?
As with any medication, the vaccine’s effectiveness depends a lot on each person’s health and lifestyle. Generally the flue vaccine has proven effective on seasonal flu in healthy persons over 70% of the time.Â
Side Effects
Some people experience difficulty from getting the flu shot. Basically these symptoms occur because the body’s immune system is building antibodies
These problems include swelling near the injection accompanied by achiness and a low grade fever. These symptoms should disappear within 48 hours.
Side effects from the nasal mist version of the flu vaccine include cold-like symptoms (runny nose, headache, cough and sore throat.
If you have a reaction to the flu shot and it worsens, contact your medical provider immediately.
Swine Flu Vaccine
Even when the seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t match the current strains of flu, it’s still a good protection against illness. Having said that, if you’ve already gotten your flu shot, you may have to go get another one to protect you against the swine flu. The new medication was only recently approved by the FDA and is due out in limited supply in October. Clinics and schools will be among the first locations to receive the new swine flu vaccine, with other locations receiving shipments as it’s produced.
Do you have a good idea about how to avoid the swine flu? Think the flu vaccine is a good or bad idea? Tell us about it in the comments!
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