Although the flu vaccine may not prevent the flu, medical officials say that it will alleviate symptoms and complications that killed 80,000 people — 180 of them children — across the nation in 2017.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older get a flu vaccination — which is usually 40 percent effective — by Halloween. This comes on the heels of last year’s deadly flu season that killed six people in Volusia and Flagler counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Dr. Matt Hoffman, director of specialty services at Halifax Health, said most of those deaths came from complications associated with the flu and were most evident in those that did not get their annual flu shot or did not seek timely medical care.
“Pneumonia is the worst complication that leads to fatalities,” Hoffman said. “Other complications that can arise are ear infections, dehydration, bronchitis, sinus infections and aggravating pre-existing medical conditions.”
The flu vaccination is not 100 percent effective because the virus is continually evolving. Vaccines are decided on in February of each year by the CDC based on what was prevalent in recent years. This year, there are two vaccines, one that combats three strains including H1N1 and H3N2 — considered the most lethal strain — and one that adds a fourth strain to the mix.
“Getting the flu shot, even if it’s not the exact strain that is going around, will prepare your immune system to fight off the infection,” Hoffman said. “It does take two weeks for the vaccine to become effective.”
Dr. Courtney St. James, family medicine physician at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, said that getting the flu shot isn’t just about protecting yourself but protecting those around you.
“There were a lot of young children and adults with chronic illnesses that died from the flu,” St. James said. “I get the flu shot not only to protect myself but to protect others who are more at risk from getting the flu.”
Flu season runs from October to March with the height of the season being in December and January. The most common symptoms of the flu — which come on abruptly — include aches and pains, fatigue, headaches and fever.
“Sneezing and stuffy nose is more common with a cold,” Hoffman said. “A cold is something that gradually develops where the flu will come out of nowhere. You can be fine one day and not be able to function the next.”
Flu shots are available at the health department, primary care providers and select pharmacies.
St. James said that the CDC does its best to guess what strains should go in each year’s shot, but that they aren’t able to predict it all the time.
“It’s always replicating and creating new viruses we may not be able to protect against,” St. James said. “When the flu replicates into one that is not in the vaccine, that’s when complications occur in more at-risk patients.”
St. James recommends speaking with a health care provider about any questions and to encourage others to get their annual flu shot.
“Often times you hear people say they won’t get it ’cause it didn’t work last year or that they never get sick,” Hoffman said. “The masses, when immunized, protect those that can’t get the flu shot and those that have a higher risk of complications or death.”
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