Best Time for Flu Shot

October 16, 2017

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people are strongly advised to get a flu vaccine before the end of October. Since the vaccination takes two weeks after administration to begin providing protection, it is recommended that people get the vaccination sooner rather than later, as the flu season usually begins to pick up by the end of October.
While any of the approved flu vaccinations offer protection against the virus, there are some formulations that offer protection against more strains. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. Trivalent vaccines protect against three strains of the virus, while quadrivalent vaccines protect against a fourth additional strain. We carry the quadrivalent vaccine to provide our patients with the most protection from the flu.

For the 2017-2018 flu season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The nasal spray flu vaccine should not be used during 2017-2018. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. See People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications for a full list of age and health factors that confer increased risk.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Schedule your flu shot with us today!

Flu Myths and Tips

December 22, 2016December 21, 2016

You’re probably aware that we’ve officially entered both the holiday season and flu season. This year, we’d like to help you focus on the spirit of giving…except when it comes to giving the flu!

There’s still time to get a flu shot. Flu season lasts through Spring each year. In fact, in June of this year there was a late-season flu-related death here in San Diego County. Regardless of age or health condition, anyone can catch the flu, and get very sick. Even if it’s a mild case, he or she can still spread it to other people, like family, friends and co-workers. People with flu are contagious even before they develop symptoms. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get this important protection.

Our clinic has been full of the holiday spirit as families, couples, children, and adults of all ages have been coming in for their flu shots. For those of you who have already come in for your flu shot, kudos! For those of you who haven’t had the time or might be hesitant to get the flu shot, please take a few minutes out of your schedule to squeeze this important preventive health visit in. We can provide flu vaccines to anyone who is 4 years of age or older. If you have health insurance, the cost may be covered. For example, Medicare covers this vaccine. If you don’t have insurance, we have the lowest prices (only $25 for the regular flu shot that covers 4 virus strains and $54 for the high dose flu shot if you are over age 65).

You can book your appointment on our website or give us a call today!

Hope to see you in clinic soon! Happy Holidays!

In addition to protecting yourself with the flu shot, there are some other things you can do to help avoid getting sick with the flu, colds and other respiratory diseases (and avoid spreading illness to others):

Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your arm.
Wash your hands often, with plenty of soap and warm water.
Stay away from sick people whenever possible.
Stay home when you’re sick.
Get enough rest, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

These tips are helpful in protecting your health all year, not just during flu season.

MYTH #1: The flu shot gives you the flu.

The flu shot doesn’t give you the flu, because it can’t. The flu shot contains killed virus. That killed virus can’t infect you and give you the flu. You may have received a flu shot in the past and then become sick after that. But it wasn’t caused by the flu shot. It could be that you were already infected with the flu before you got the shot. Or it could be that you had become infected with another strain of the flu that wasn’t in the vaccine. Or you may have had a respiratory infection or a cold, and experienced flu-like symptoms. But that doesn’t mean you had the flu.

MYTH #2: I don’t need the flu shot because I never get sick.

Even if you have never been sick, that doesn’t mean you will never get sick. If your loved ones have never been in a car accident, does that mean they shouldn’t have to wear a seat belt? Of course your answer is NO, so why take chances with the flu? The virus doesn’t care how healthy you’ve been. You can still catch the flu and become very ill. You can miss work, school and other important activities in your life. And you can make others sick, too—including people who have health conditions like heart disease or cancer that make them especially vulnerable to flu and its complications like pneumonia. The flu can even be fatal. (For stories about real people whose lives were touched by vaccine preventable diseases like influenza, visit http://www.shotbyshot.org.)

MYTH #3: The flu isn’t a big deal.

We wish that was true! Last year in San Diego County alone, there were nearly 7,000 cases of flu that resulted in 120 hospitalizations in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 68 deaths.

9 Reasons To Get This Year’s Flu Vaccine

September 22, 2015December 9, 2015Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again! Time to gear up for the cold and flu season. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu infection and its potential health consequences.

This year’s vaccine should be more EFFECTIVE than last year’s. Last year, there were two strains — one Influenza A and one Influenza B — that evolved after the vaccine was made. So the vaccine was only effective in 20-25% of cases. In the few years before last year, the vaccine was effective in around 50% of cases. We expect to go back to that this year. We wish it was 100% effective of course. But wouldn’t you rather prevent 50% of cases of a potentially deadly infection than none?
Young and old most VULNERABLE. Children and young adults below age 20, along with older adults above age 80, have the highest rates of the flu.
Flu KILLS. People who die from the flu almost always have an underlying medical condition. Women may be more likely to die from the flu than men.
Everyone 6 months old and older SHOULD get the flu vaccine every year. This hasn’t always been the case since recommendations have changed. Infants younger than 6 months will be protected if everyone they have contact with is vaccinated. The immunity you got from last year’s vaccine has faded over time and you have to get a vaccine again this year. The vaccine usually changes every year. There are new flu strains added to the vaccine every year based on what is most likely to be spread that year. Not enough people are getting this vaccine. Only 50% of American children and 70% of American adults age 65 and older got the vaccine last year.
The vaccine does NOT cause the flu. It can cause some side effects, like soreness where the injection was given, a fever, coughing, headache, or fatigue. A severe allergic reaction is very rare — about 1 in 1,000,000 doses — and warrants immediate medical attention. It takes about 2 weeks for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and fully protect you, so get the vaccine as soon as you can — ideally by October.
Very FEW people should not get the vaccine. If you have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, you should not get the flu vaccine. If you’ve had a severe allergy to any component of the flu vaccine, you shouldn’t get it. Otherwise, get it! If you have a fever or aren’t feeling well, wait until you’re feeling better to get it. Some of the vaccines have a small amount of egg protein, so if you are allergic to eggs let your healthcare prover know so they can be sure to give you a vaccine that is safe for you. People who can’t get the vaccine for safety reasons rely on everyone else to get it and keep them protected.
PREGNANT women should get the vaccine. Pregnant women have a higher risk of serious illness due to the flu. The flu vaccine is an essential element of preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The vaccine not only protects the mother, but also protects the newborn baby in the first months of life.
Vaccines do NOT cause autism. I’m not going to get into this issue because you can read all about it from the experts: CDC summary, CDC studies, and American Academy of Pediatrics recent statement.
You have OPTIONS when it comes to the flu vaccines. There are many different products available, ranging from shots to nasal mists. You can also visit your doctor’s office or local pharmacy at your convenience to get your flu shot. The vaccine is typically free with your insurance or from a community-based program. Worst case, you may have to pay a small fee of about $20 for the vaccine.

For more information, check out the CDC website for this year’s flu season.

Photos by Seth Capitulo, Anil Jadhav, Tobias Lindman, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District via Flickr

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Tag: Influenza