Copyright timesnownews
The influenza or flu season has just begun, and this viral respiratory infection affects millions of people each year. As the United States prepares for it, it is important to take measures to prevent falling ill. Every year, flu vaccines are manufactured to protect against the most commonly circulating strains at that time. According to experts, the best way to reduce your chances of getting the flu is to receive the shot. However, not many people know how the vaccines work, how long they last, and when is the best time to get them? How do the flu vaccines work? Every year, the work on the seasonal flu vaccine starts way before the season begins. Experts and virologists spend a lot of time doing extensive research and surveillance into which strains will be most common during the upcoming season. These vaccines mostly work against two types of influenza viruses: influenza A and influenza B. Also, they are either trivalent or quadrivalent, in which the latter works against four viruses and the former against three. How does the flu vaccine work? Once you have taken the flu vaccine, doctors say it takes around two weeks for your body to develop antibodies that provide protection. And within that time, you can still contract the flu, so you should be extra careful to: Practice good hygiene Do not touch your nose or mouth whenever possibleAvoid going out in crowds How long does the flu shot work? According to experts, your immunity to the flu keeps decreasing over time, regardless of taking the vaccination or having a flu infection. It happens because influenza viruses are constantly changing, and a vaccine from the previous season may not protect you enough. However, receiving the seasonal vaccine can protect you for the duration of the current flu season. You will need to get a seasonal influenza vaccine every year to have the best protection against influenza viruses. When should you take the flu shot? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors offer vaccines to the public by September or October. Even though the immunity begins to lower slightly over time, studies say flu vaccines protect against the influenza virus throughout flu season. Also, there may be a few side effects of the vaccine that you may get, a few of which, extremely mild, include: Dwelling, soreness, and redness at the injection site Low-grade fever General aches and pains Also, if you get your vaccine later in the season, there is no need to worry. Doctors say late vaccination can also provide enough protection, since influenza circulates till the end of March. Who should not take flu shots? Anyone over six months of age should receive the flu vaccine each year; it is important that no one avoids it. This includes the following groups: Those who are over 50 years old If you have a chronic health condition If you have a weakened immune system Children between 6 months and 5 years of age Pregnant women Those who are obese Healthcare workers Doctors recommend that children under six months old should not receive the influenza vaccine. To protect these children from possible exposure to the virus, all family members and caregivers should be vaccinated to develop herd immunity, which can protect those who cannot get the vaccine.
