You can prevent the flu this season by taking one simple step: Getting a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months or older get vaccinated, with few exceptions.

Unfortunately, some people think that getting a flu vaccine is too much trouble or costs too much. Or they are sure that a flu shot will make them sick or more likely to catch the flu.

It's impossible to get the flu from the flu vaccine. The vaccine does not contain a form of the flu virus that can give you the flu. The injected form of the vaccine is made from pieces of dead flu virus cells. After getting the vaccine, some people have mild flu-like symptoms as a side effect. This is not the same thing as having the flu. When you get the flu vaccine, your body reacts and makes antibodies that give you immunity against the virus.

Vaccine Facts

The flu is caused by one of several strains of the flu virus (type A or B) that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The flu can make life miserable for a week or two for many people or it can be deadly for some. Flu season starts as early as October and peaks anywhere from late December to early April.

Health experts strongly advise that you get the flu vaccine to protect yourself and others. The main reason you should be re-vaccinated each year is that the flu virus is constantly changing into new strains. Each year, the CDC tries to figure out which flu strains will have the biggest effect.

The CDC works with vaccine makers to create the specific vaccine that will fight the predicted strains for that year. Also, a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time. Therefore, an annual vaccination provides the best protection against the flu.

The flu vaccine is available in several forms:

• A shot. This is how the flu vaccine is usually given, most often into a muscle in the arm. This form of the vaccine has killed virus and is approved for most people. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who have never been vaccinated need two doses, given one month apart. This is to build up protection. Get the first dose as soon as it's available so that the second dose is given by the end of October. After the first flu season, your child will need only one dose for future flu seasons.
  
  
• A nasal spray. This is another choice for healthy, nonpregnant people ages 2 to 49 years old. It's made of live but weakened flu virus. It can be taken at the same time as other vaccines (live or non-live). With a live vaccine, it should be spaced at least four weeks apart. However, there is no recommended spacing period between nasal spray flu vaccine and non-live vaccines.
  
  
• A jet injector. This is a needle-free device that can give a two-dose flu vaccine through the skin into the muscle. This may be an option for people 18 to 64 years old.

A flu vaccine is especially important for those who are more likely to have complications if they get the flu.

However, the flu vaccine may not be appropriate for everyone. You should not get a flu shot if you had Guillain-Barré syndrome in the six weeks after getting a flu shot in the past or had a bad allergic reaction to a previous dose of influenza vaccine. If you have an illness with a fever, wait until symptoms get better before getting a vaccine.

People with an allergy to egg-based vaccines may get a flu vaccine as long as it's advised for their age and health status. Severe allergic reactions are unlikely in people with egg allergies. Talk to your provider about whether the flu vaccine is right for you.

Looking for a Provider?

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has more than 80 providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Source: The StayWell Company, LLC