The vaccinations, which are advised for all individuals six months of age and above, were first distributed by pharmacies last month. Since flu activity usually peaks in December or January and normally ramps up in the fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise getting vaccinated this month or next.
The vaccination takes around two weeks to take full effect.
“You should definitely consider scheduling a vaccination appointment or planning to get vaccinated sometime in late September or early October,” advised Dr. Judith O’Donnell, head of infectious diseases at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia.
The trivalent nature of this year’s flu vaccines means that they offer protection against two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B. The fourth strain of influenza B that was protected against by vaccinations for over ten years hasn’t been around since March 2020, thus this year the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory group decided to omit it.
Information on vaccinations against the flu
Children under the age of eight who have never received a flu vaccination should have two doses spaced at least four weeks apart, even though most individuals only require one dose of the vaccine. The CDC advises unvaccinated youngsters to receive their first vaccination as soon as possible.
Adults 65 years of age and older should request specific vaccinations that elicit a more potent immune response than the typical flu shot since they are at the highest risk of developing a serious flu disease. For this age range, the CDC suggests Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok, or Fluad. The first two vaccinations are high-dose shots, which means that a higher concentration of antigen—an agent that elicits an immunological response—is present. On the other hand, Fluad includes an adjuvant, which is a substance that supports the immunological response.
“It will not be available everywhere, so you really have to shop around and figure out where that is available,” said Amanda Joy, a physician assistant at MedStar Health, a local provider in the Washington, D.C., region. She advised phoning pharmacies or doctor’s offices in advance.
In the United States, the flu caused around 25,000 deaths and 400,000 hospital admissions last year.
The degree to which flu shots can avoid medical visits varies from year to year. Although it’s not a given that those strains will predominate in the United States, scientists select which strains to target based on what’s circulating in other areas of the world.
You can get up to 80% [effectiveness] in an ideal year. Perhaps 30% in a terrible year,” stated Dr. Michelle Barron, UCHealth’s senior medical director of infection prevention and control.
Since Australia’s flu season runs roughly from June to September, it provides a glimpse into what the United States should expect. There were neither an unusually high number of hospital admissions nor fatalities this year.
“It appears like the flu season was rather normal. Our worry from the previous year was that it didn’t always start early,” Barron stated.
Given that the majority of flu vaccinations are egg-based, some individuals with egg allergies may be reluctant to receive them, but the shots are still safe for them. Joy advised anyone who still had worries to look into Flucelvax, a vaccine made using mammalian cells.
It is possible to give flu and COVID injections at the same time.
Health professionals anticipate that, as in previous years, the flu and Covid will strike double duty in the fall and winter. Experts predict another wave of Covid cases in winter, possibly coinciding with the peak of flu cases, even if the summer epidemic hasn’t yet subsided.
Targeted by the new Covid vaccinations is the KP.2 variety, which at the end of April gained dominance in the United States. Although KP.3.1.1, a genetically related strain, has subsequently gained control, the most recent vaccination ought to provide superior defense against it compared to earlier Covid doses.
For those six months of age and up, the vaccinations are advised. According to the CDC, children under the age of four should receive at least one dose of the new formula, and maybe two or three if they have never received a vaccination before.
One dosage should be given to everyone other. Those who have recently contracted COVID-19 can postpone getting their vaccination until three months after contracting the virus, since they will likely already have some protection.
It is okay to deliver the flu and Covid vaccinations simultaneously, in separate arms, or in the same arm. For convenience, the CDC advises obtaining both at once; however, it’s uncertain if doing so has any extra benefits. The co-administration of Covid and flu vaccinations increased the antibody response to Covid in blood samples, according to a small research published in April. However, it’s unclear if this means increased protection.
According to a CDC research, receiving all of the doses at once may also somewhat increase adverse effects, but they are still usually modest.
“If you get them both together, you might feel some aches and chills and possibly a low-grade fever, but you could also get that from each one separately,” Joy stated.
She also mentioned that if you’re feeling under the weather, it’s advisable to postpone getting any vaccinations.
“It is much better to wait until you are well because you might not receive the full response you desire if you receive vaccinations while ill,” the woman stated.
What is the cost of the shots?
Flu vaccinations can be obtained through some employers, pharmacies, medical offices, and health clinics.
Covid and flu vaccinations are available at CVS and Walgreens, however at this time, Walmart pharmacies only provide flu shots. Walmart stated that it is ready to give out Covid vaccinations as soon as supplies arrive.
As long as they receive the vaccinations from an in-network physician, those with insurance shouldn’t have to pay for them out of pocket. Children without insurance are also covered for Covid and flu injections under the government-run Vaccines for Children Program.
Adults without insurance may be able to obtain immunizations at some federally certified health facilities, as well as state or municipal health departments, however availability of vaccines may be restricted. The Covid vaccination now costs between $150 and $200 if not covered by insurance, which is a change from previous years when it was free. The CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which reimbursed uninsured persons for their Covid vaccinations, came to an end in August.
Vaccinations against flu can cost anywhere from $25 to over $100.
