Twelve things doctors wish patients knew about flu shots
During the 2019–2020 flu season, the flu (Influenza) caused an estimated 18 million medical visits in the United States. Getting a flu vaccine (Influenza vaccine) can help to reduce the burden on doctors and nurses as they fight COVID-19. Last season, flu vaccines prevented 3.7 million medical visits.
The vaccine doesn’t give you the flu
While the flu shot is made of pieces of the virus, the nasal spray is a whole virus, but it’s an inactivated form of the virus so that neither kind can give you the flu. It’s not uncommon for people to have a low-grade fever or feel a little run down for a couple of days after receiving their vaccine. That’s just their immune system responding to the vaccine and doing exactly what it is supposed to do. Patients will sometimes coincidentally come down with the flu shortly after receiving the vaccination, but that’s just a quirk of timing. It takes the vaccine a couple of weeks to generate a full immune response, so you don’t have your maximum protection until a couple of weeks after you get your shot.
Getting flu shot more critical than ever
People have not necessarily been getting their preventive medical services during the pandemic. We want to highlight the importance of continuing to get preventive services in general, and the flu vaccine is an excellent example of that. Every year, influenza causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. We're very concerned about it compounding the hospital capacity problems that we may see if we get more surges in the numbers of patients with COVID 19. Additionally, it is possible to get influenza and COVID 19 simultaneously, and then you have that double whammy in terms of two significant respiratory illnesses. The flu vaccine is really to get protection against that scenario.
Can reduce flu risk by up to 60%
We typically don't know the vaccine’s effectiveness until we get into flu season, and we can see what types of viruses end up circulating in the population. The flu vaccine is adjusted every year to align with what is predicted to be the most likely strains circulating. It typically falls somewhere between 40% and 60% effectiveness. In recent years, we have commonly seen them reporting closer to 60% for common flu strains, which is excellent. Some protection is better than none.
Get it as soon as possible
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices generally recommends getting the flu vaccine in September or October. Ideally, you can start to get your vaccine before the end of October, but if you don’t squeeze it in, get it any time ideally, before January is what’s best. But we’ll tell people throughout the flu season, if you haven’t gotten the vaccine yet, it’s still okay to get it, and you’re likely to benefit.
Everyone should get it, especially seniors
There are a couple of reasons why someone might not be able to get the flu vaccine—that’s relatively rare. A real allergy to it might be the most common reason, but generally speaking, you should definitely get the flu vaccine if you are older than six months. Our seniors, for sure, are a higher-risk population. They have slightly different vaccine options that are designed to protect them a little bit more. Because they are also clearly one of those high-risk populations for COVID 19, it is even more vital for them to defend themselves against the flu.
There are nasal sprays too
The sprays are only approved for ages 2 through 49. There are some medical conditions or reasons why you may not be able to get the spray, or it may not be the best choice for you, but most people can take that option if they are anxious about getting the shot. We will say If it means you end up getting a flu vaccine, and you'd instead choose a nasal spray, get that nasal spray. It is typically pretty comparable to the shot in terms of effectiveness.
Egg allergy is not an excuse
Despite the common notion, people with egg allergies can take age-appropriate flu vaccines.
Please do it for yourself and others
There are benefits to us as individuals: We're less likely to get the flu. Even if we do develop the flu, we're less likely to be hospitalized, and it tends to be less severe if you get the vaccine. It is also about protecting others—your family, friends, community members. With each day seeing tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases in the U.S., the impending flu season raises fears of a “twindemic” of COVID-19 and influenza that could sicken tens of millions of Americans and further strain the nation’s health system resources.
Save time
Getting a flu vaccine can prevent you from getting sick with the flu. People who get the flu are usually sick for about a week. Staying healthy means you can be there for your loved ones who depend on you, and you don’t miss work.
Reduce the severity of illness
You may still get the flu if you get a flu vaccine, but you won’t get as sick. Flu vaccines have been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
Protect people with diabetes and heart disease
People with certain chronic conditions are at high risk of getting very sick from the flu, including being hospitalized or dying. Getting a flu vaccine reduces the risk of giving the flu to people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and sickle cell anemia.
Bottomline
Influenza vaccine is not optional; it is a lifesaver. Please get immunized.
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Published 12/9/2020
Dr. Amar Singh, MD, and Dr. Poonam Singh, MD, are board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Obesity Medicine. They specialize in preventing, treating, and reversing chronic diseases using an evidence-based holistic approach. They are specifically interested in weight management, hormone re-balancing, and longevity. The American College of Physicians has recognized them as Fellows, FACP, for their excellence and contributions made to both medicine and the broader community. They enjoy teaching, volunteering, and advocating for their patients. Their mission is to share simple, effective, and proven strategies that lead to meaningful, sustainable, and long-lasting well-being.
