Everything You Need to Know About the Flu Vaccination
As temperatures drop and the leaves turn brown, cold and flu season is just around the corner. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect oneself from significant viral influenza, which ultimately leads to decreased illness and overall hospitalization rates. In this post, we’ll be going over everything you need to know about the flu vaccination, including how it works, who should and shouldn’t get vaccinated, and how it provides robust protection against influenza.
How the Flu Vaccination Works
The flu vaccination works by exposing your body to a weakened form of the virus, allowing your immune system to build up resistance to the virus. This way, when exposed to the actual virus, your immune system will be better able to protect you from the severe symptoms of influenza.
It is important to note that the flu vaccine is not entirely foolproof, however. It is updated each year to try and match the strains of influenza that are expected to be more prevalent in the upcoming flu season, but there are always chances that the vaccine will not protect you from all strains of influenza.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated, with few exceptions. This includes individuals who have underlying health conditions, women who are pregnant, and healthcare workers, to name a few.
However, those who are allergic to the vaccine or any of its components or those experiencing a high fever or illness should avoid vaccination until they recover from their sickness.
When to Get Vaccinated?
The flu vaccination is typically offered starting in September through the end of flu season, which typically ends in March. It is best to get vaccinated as soon as possible before the flu season fully starts.
It’s essential to understand that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for immunity to the virus to build up, so it’s essential to get vaccinated before the flu season peaks.
How Often Should You Get Vaccinated?
It is recommended to get vaccinated each year, primarily due to the ever-changing nature of influenza strains. As the flu vaccine is updated each year to match the anticipated strains of influenza, getting a vaccine each year ensures the highest level of protection against the most recent strains of the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), studies have not noticed a disadvantage to getting multiple yearly vaccinations. This makes it acceptable to get a vaccine at any time throughout flu season.
Wrapping Up
In summary, the flu vaccine is an essential step in safeguarding as many people as possible during the influenza season. Vaccination protects against many of the strains of flu, and it is recommended that those six months and older should get vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated as early in the season as viable allows for the appropriate period to pass for immunity to build up, reducing the likelihood of contracting the virus. While vaccination is not entirely foolproof, it remains the most available and effective protection against influenza.
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