Refinery 29
No, it’s not too late to get a flu shot
The weather can be so slippery – especially this year. In a minute, you are unpacking your autumn sweaters and making a mental note to get the flu shot. And next time, there is some snow on the ground, and you wonder if you’ve completely lost the window. If it’s you, we have some good news: “It’s not too late,” says Dr. Jake Deutsch, MD, medical director at Cure Urgent Care. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people get flu shots until the end of October, he notes that vaccines should be offered during the flu season, which can last until April or May. As long as there are still strains of the virus (and there are some, the most common are Influenza A and B), you can get the vaccine. Even if you understand now, it is not too late. “It’s too late when the seasonal supply of flu vaccine runs out,” Charles Golden, DO, vice president and chief medical officer of the CHOC Primary Care Network for Children, previously told Refinery29. “We usually recommend the flu vaccine to anyone who hasn’t had it that season, even in April or May.” It is worth protecting yourself sooner or later, so go ahead and make an appointment – especially since the flu virus tends to peak in January. “I would not worry about waiting too long, especially if you are around immunocompromised people or those in health care – those who may be most at risk or who can expose you,” said Deutsch. Of course, even if you run and make it today, you will not be immediately covered. “It takes two to four weeks to develop antibodies,” says Dr. Deutsch. “You are receiving an inactivated virus fragment – an antigen – and our body responds by producing antibodies. But for them to be fully developed, it takes time. ”(And, no, that doesn’t mean that the vaccine can cause the real flu, notes the CDC). So continue to wash your hands and take other precautions with that in mind – although, fortunately, you are already involved in preventive measures, such as social detachment and wearing a mask, to also prevent the spread of COVID-19. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year, and studies show that it generally reduces the risk of illness by 40% to 60%, notes the CDC. So, yes, it is still possible to catch the flu even after receiving the vaccine. But don’t let that stop you, even if you’re tempted to just wait until next fall. “Vaccination definitely decreases the severity of the disease,” says Dr. Deutsch. “And reducing the spread of the disease by up to 50% or more is enough to change the outcome of a flu season, which is why it is so important to be vaccinated.” In addition to causing symptoms such as chills, dehydration, fatigue and fever, the flu can also be deadly. “In a bad year, we could see 30,000 deaths in the United States, so that’s not insignificant,” says Deutsch. The more severe the flu cases, the more ICU beds will be filled at a time when hospitals are already overloaded with cases of COVID-19. Almost all hospitals in Los Angeles County are full, The New York Times reported on December 26. And over the weekend, the United States reached a devastating record: 1 in 1,000 people died of SARS-CoV-2 since our first case reported in late January 2020. Earlier this year, there were reports that this winter could cause a “Twindemia” or an increase in overlap in cases of influenza and COVID-19. Although COVID-19 cases have certainly skyrocketed in the U.S. in the past month, Dr. Deutsch says it is still too early to know if we are approaching a twindemic, as the flu season will not peak until January. He adds that increased mask use may also prevent the spread of flu. In addition, thanks to long-range public health campaigns related to influenza vaccines this summer and fall, an “unprecedented” number of people have been vaccinated this year, adds Dr. Deutsch. “On December 4, 2020, 189.4 million doses of the flu vaccine were distributed in the United States. This is the largest number of doses of flu distributed in the United States during a single influenza season, ”reported the CDC. So, if you are one of the people who forgot or are postponing, there is no time like the present. Of course, as it is a little later in the season, you may need to do a little research to find a place that offers the photo now. So call ahead. “Pharmacies are a source, but there are other options. Ask urgent care centers, primary health centers or [your state’s health department]”, Says Dr. Deutsch. “Some employers are doing this. Some healthcare systems are doing this for free. Be creative if your first option is not available. ”One place to start is VaccineFinder.org. The end result, according to Dr. Golden: “Some protection is better than none.” And, to rely on an old cliché, “better late than never”. Like what you’re seeing? How about a little more R29 goodness, right here? When to get your flu shot in 2020 – the timing is importantThis flu season could be the worst until Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine just got FDA approval