Flu season is upon us. Time to schedule your vaccination

With 2017-2018’s past flu season having been proclaimed “This Flu Season Is the Worst in Nearly a Decade” by the New York Times, many Americans have begun bunkering down to get their annual influenza shots early this 2018-2019 winter. Television’s Channel 41 issued a rather sobering statement about the past years’ dire flu statistics in America: “Every 12 minutes someone over 65 plus has the possibility of dying of complications of the flu.” 

With protection from the flu vaccination’s antibodies taking 2 weeks to develop, it’s now time to complete those vaccination appointments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that “Getting vaccinated later (after October), however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.”

Factors that can determine a person’s suitability for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a person’s age, general health, and any relevant allergies. The number one question asked by most individuals is: “How effective is the flu vaccine?” 

The answer from the CDC is “While vaccine effectiveness can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses (three or four most prevalent ones) are well-matched to the flu vaccine.” 

***In several studies, the flu vaccine has shown the reduction of severity of illness in those who have been vaccinated but, nevertheless, still get the flu. This is an important finding for seniors, especially those sick with chronic ailments. Indeed, this protection contributes yearly to a steady reduction in numbers of hospitalizations and deaths among the elderly. 

The number two question also frequently asked is: “Why is the flu vaccine typically less effective against influenza A (H3N2) viruses than influenza B (H1N1)?” 

The CDC answers “…..between the time when the composition of the flu vaccine is recommended and the flu vaccine is delivered, H3N2 viruses are more likely than H1N1 ….. viruses to have changed in ways that could impact how well the flu vaccine works.”

In addition to obtaining the flu shot, the CDC recommends taking everyday preventative measures to strengthening your immune system and preventing the spread of the flu. 

Stay healthy, cover your mouth when coughing, avoid people who are sick, and wash your hands frequently. Antiviral drugs, prescribed through your physician, are not a substitute for vaccination, though they may be used as an important second line of defense. Two kinds of vaccinations are still available at Prairie Lodge’s Centegra’s Walk-In Health Clinic: The regular vaccine and the Fluzone Hi-Dose one (generally preferred for its heavier strength of protection for those over the age of 65).  One of these two protective shots can be administered by the clinic’s nurse during the hours of availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Local Walgreen’s stores provide the vaccines also given by a nurse during pharmacy hours. In addition, Jewel Stores offer the vaccines with an added incentive of a 10% discount on your next grocery order.

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