Should you get the flu shot this year? Doctors reveal their decision

With influenza circumstances already being reported within the month of September 2022, many well being officers are recommending that anybody six months and older get their flu shot in September and October of this yr to arrange for the upcoming flu season.  

“It’s a completely good time for [people] to get the shot, proper now,” mentioned Dr. Aaron Glatt, M.D., chair of the Division of Medication and chief of Infectious Ailments at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York. 

He’s additionally a hospital epidemiologist. 

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Michael Kinch, Ph.D., an immunologist and vaccine knowledgeable, in addition to dean of Sciences and a vice chairman at Lengthy Island College in New York, informed Fox Information Digital, “Whereas influenza virus could cause a extreme illness in all individuals — no matter well being or age — older and immune-compromised individuals are significantly inclined” to it. 

“It will be important that these people six months and older and who aren’t have had earlier extreme allergic reactions get their flu shot yearly.” 

He added, “In a mean yr, 60,000 People die from influenza.” 

Concerning that large lack of life, he added that “most of [those losses] will be prevented by routine vaccination.”

Yet one more knowledgeable weighed in on the dialogue.

Dr. Fred Davis, the affiliate chair of Emergency Medication at Northwell Well being in Lengthy Island, New York, informed Fox Information Digital that he sees numerous flu circumstances current to the emergency division annually. Davis recommends that folks get a flu vaccine ideally earlier than the tip of October — earlier than flu circumstances begin to rise.

Davis additionally mentioned, “It will be important that these people six months and older and who aren’t have had earlier extreme allergic reactions get their flu shot yearly.” 

By getting the flu vaccine yearly, individuals cut back the possibilities of critical issues from the influenza virus.

Every year the flu shot is formulated to guard in opposition to the 4 probably influenza viruses anticipated to be probably the most prevalent that yr, Davis famous.

By getting the flu vaccine yearly, he mentioned, individuals cut back the possibilities of critical issues from the influenza virus.

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“These extra in danger are [people older] than 65 years outdated, these with sure power medical circumstances (i.e. bronchial asthma, coronary heart illness, diabetes and power kidney illness) and people who are pregnant,” he mentioned. 

“The yearly flu vaccine is particularly vital in these teams to scale back the chance of hospitalization and loss of life from influenza,” Davis informed Fox Information Digital. 

Get your flu shot as quickly as potential, well being officers say this yr, as they’ve mentioned prior to now as effectively. However there are uncommon exceptions by which the flu shot is not proper for individuals. Examine with a well being care supplier first.
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Whereas federal well being officers advocate that almost all people six months of age and older get a flu vaccine each season, in uncommon exceptions it isn’t applicable. 

Some vaccines might not be proper for sure people, well being officers mentioned as effectively.

“Totally different influenza vaccines are accredited for various age teams,” the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) notes on its web site. 

There are standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines which might be accredited for these as younger as six months of age, the CDC famous; nevertheless, some vaccines are accredited just for adults. 

“Some individuals (for instance, pregnant individuals and folks with some power well being circumstances) shouldn’t get some forms of influenza vaccines, and a few individuals shouldn’t obtain flu vaccines in any respect (although that is unusual).”

The CDC additionally mentioned that completely different flu pictures are accredited for individuals of various ages — and that everybody ought to get a vaccine that’s applicable for his or her age.

There are standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines which might be accredited for individuals as younger as six months of age, the company famous; nevertheless, some vaccines are accredited just for adults. 

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These embody the recombinant flu vaccine that’s accredited for individuals aged 18 years and older, and the adjuvant and high-dose inactivated vaccines which might be accredited for individuals 65 years and older. 

Three flu vaccines this yr

Starting with the 2022-2023 flu season, the CDC mentioned there are three flu vaccines which might be advisable for individuals aged 65 and older. 

These vaccines are the Fluzone Excessive-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, the Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and the Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.

Davis informed Fox Information Digital it is advisable that folks age 65 and over obtain one in every of these pictures as a result of these are increased doses than the opposite vaccines — and the upper doses are doubtlessly more practical in preventing the flu for this age group. 

Individuals ought to talk about their particular person circumstances with their well being care suppliers to see if the flu vaccine is correct for them. 
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The CDC factors out that girls who’re pregnant and folks with sure power well being circumstances can get a flu shot in addition to these individuals with an egg allergy.

Well being consultants, nevertheless, additionally mentioned it can be crucial that folks talk about their particular person circumstances with their well being care suppliers to see if the vaccine is correct for them. 

The CDC additionally states that there are uncommon circumstances by which sure people shouldn’t obtain a flu shot. 

Those that ought to not get a flu vaccine embody kids youthful than six months of age and people with “extreme, life-threatening allergy symptoms to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (aside from egg proteins).”

The CDC mentioned you will need to communicate with well being care suppliers earlier than getting a flu shot in case you’ve ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a extreme paralyzing sickness. 

The company mentioned this would possibly embody antibiotics, gelatin and different substances.  

The CDC additionally mentioned that individuals who had a extreme allergic response to a flu vaccine prior to now might not be capable to obtain different influenza vaccines.

It’s important to talk with a doctor or well being care supplier to see if vaccination is suitable.

Well being professionals are urging residents to get their flu shot. 
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The CDC mentioned it’s also vital to talk with well being care suppliers earlier than getting a flu shot in case you’ve ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a extreme paralyzing sickness — as some individuals with a historical past of GBS shouldn’t get a flu vaccine. 

As well as, in case you’ve had a extreme allergic response to a earlier dose of some other flu vaccine, talk about with a well being care supplier whether or not you must abstain from a brand new flu vaccine this time round. 

“This yr will undoubtedly be more durable than the final two flu seasons, as a result of society is opening up once more — and individuals are sporting masks much less and fewer.” 

In case you’re not feeling effectively, discuss to a health care provider first about your signs — to see whether it is an applicable time to get a flu vaccine or not, the CDC additionally identified. 

Nasal spray vs. injection: What to know

In the case of the nasal spray flu vaccine vs. injection, well being consultants informed Fox Information Digital that it is important to speak to your doctor to see if this kind of vaccine is suitable — as there are a number of situations by which it is contraindicated and by which a shot could be safer.  

“The nasal spray is a dwell, attenuated vaccine, that means it is a weakened however dwelling flu virus,” mentioned Dr. Ken Zweig, M.D., a main care doctor with Northern Virginia Household Observe in Arlington, Va.

“It will not trigger an issue in well being sufferers, but it surely may doubtlessly end in a flu an infection in anybody who’s pregnant, immuno-suppressed or very younger — lower than two years outdated,” he additionally mentioned. 

A toddler sits on an examination desk as he receives an immunization.
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Zweig is an assistant professor of drugs at each Georgetown College and George Washington College Medical Faculties in Washington, D.C. 

Zweig added, “There are different much less frequent causes to not get the nasal spray, so anybody contemplating it ought to verify with their doctor first.”

Zweig additionally informed Fox Information Digital, “This yr will undoubtedly be more durable than the final two flu seasons, as a result of society is opening up once more — and individuals are sporting masks much less and fewer.” 

“Lots of people have vaccine fatigue from all of the COVID pictures — and extra infants and toddlers have by no means seen the flu … so that they seemingly haven’t any immunity.”

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Zweig is hopeful the probability of spreading the flu virus will lower, since COVID remains to be on individuals’s minds and many individuals are exercising warning. 

“Most individuals are nonetheless much less prone to go to work or see buddies after they have chilly signs, so I believe there will probably be much less probability to unfold the flu than there was previous to COVID,” he mentioned. 

Nonetheless, Zweig remains to be involved. 

“Lots of people have vaccine fatigue from all of the COVID pictures — and extra infants and toddlers have by no means seen the flu, because the final two seasons have been so delicate, so that they seemingly haven’t any immunity,” he mentioned. 

“The easiest way to make sure a milder flu season is to get as many individuals vaccinated as potential, so make sure to get vaccinated.”

Glatt additionally informed Fox Information Digital, “Flu stays a really critical sickness that we have to eradicate — and the easiest way to stop getting very critical flu sickness is thru vaccination “