By Carolyn Spence Cagle PhD, RNC-E
It’s that time of year again when a preventative flu shot minimizes the risk of becoming ill this winter and spring. NOW is the time to get the flu shot (October) because it takes about 2 weeks to gain enough immunity to “fight off” the flu. Taking the shot is one BIG way to protect yourself as we age and have lower immunity as a result. Medicare fully covers the flu shot as a preventative benefit.
Why get the flu shot? Flu viruses pass easily from person to person and, if you get the flu bug, it will be inconvenient and cause you to be uncomfortable with fever, body chills, muscle aches, a cough, headache, and nasal congestion. With aging, bad cases of the flu may turn into pneumonia, inflame the heart or brain, and may cause organ failure. Older people and those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems have the highest rate of complications as a result of the flu.
What options do I have for the shot? Those allergic to products used to produce the flu vaccine (egg protein, some antibiotics, latex, or other preservatives) should check with their doctor about getting the flu shot and which kind. Most adults get the shot in an arm muscle (IM) due to convenience. Administration of the shot may occur in pharmacies, health departments, workplaces, primary care doctor offices, and health fairs and normally protects against three types of flu viruses expected in one year. It is normal to have a stiff or sore arm for a few days after the shot and perhaps a slight fever or general feeling of not feeling well. These symptoms are less severe than having a case of the flu and go away in a few days, unlike the flu that may last up to 10 days or more. A “high dose” flu vaccine, used in persons over age 64 years known to have weaker immune systems and needing protection from three flu viruses, is four times more powerful than the usual flu vaccine given to younger persons.
Other ways to receive the flu shot include an intradermal injection (that uses a smaller needle than an IM injection) going under the arm skin, not into the arm muscle. This injection protects against four flu types predicted to be active in a particular year. Persons getting this type of shot may have more arm redness, itching, and swelling post-injection than those getting the IM injection. Another option for receiving the flu shot is via a nasal spray. This option works better in some years than others. A pharmacist can tell you if this may work for you if you wish to avoid needles. There may be cold-like symptoms for a nasal spray flu vaccine, but these are much less severe than actual flu symptoms.
Where can I find the shot? Listen or read media and look for flu signs posted at places giving the shot. You may also want to Google “Vaccine Finder,” a free online tool to find vaccine administration places.
Best wishes with staying healthy this fall and winter by getting a flu shot to protect you! I got mine today!
Reference:
Brown, M. N. (2018, September 17). Which flu vaccine should I get – Here are this year’s options.