ALBANY, GA (WALB) – With kids heading back to school, experts are encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated now.
“The flu shot can save a life. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the illness. You know that vaccination can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms,” says Dr. Tamara Davis, DNP, FNP-C.
According to the CDC, flu season runs from September to May.
Dr. Davis recommends getting your flu shot no later than the end of October, but it's better to get it as soon as possible.
“We know that it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to start working, and in the meantime, we're waiting for our bodies to produce the antibodies we need to protect us from the flu and keep us from getting sick,” she said.
Dr. Davis recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine every year because the flu virus is constantly evolving, with new strains and variants emerging every year.
“It changes every year. The CDC does research to see which strains are most prevalent that year. They then develop the flu vaccine that we get based on that research. Is it 100%? No. Nothing is 100%. But some coverage is better than no coverage at all. That's why we recommend the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months.”
Many people have the misconception that getting a flu shot will make you catch the flu, but Dr. Davis says that's not true.
“Getting the flu vaccine will not give you the flu, because a) the flu shot is made from a dead virus, so it's not infectious and there's no way for you to get that virus, and b) other flu vaccines are made from viral proteins that are also not infectious, so you can't get the flu from getting the flu shot,” Davis said.
Experts say that while some people may feel sick after getting a flu shot, that's just a side effect of the vaccine itself. You can expect to experience aches, pains, muscle aches, and slight fever.
“That's what we want, so you know your body is doing what it's supposed to do, which is boosting and building the antibodies it needs to fight the disease,” Davis said.
During this time of year, COVID-19, strep throat, and influenza are prevalent, so it's important to keep all vaccinations up to date and to stay home from school or work if you're sick.
To get your flu shot, visit your doctor or your local CVS or Walgreens clinic.
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