The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, the Halloween decorations are done, and there are still 68 shopping days left until Hanukkah. You know what that means: It’s time to get your flu shot!
Autumn is full of good things, but it also has a big downside: the influenza virus begins to spread in earnest. Because influenza cases typically begin to peak in December and continue to infect people throughout the winter, the Federal Drug Administration recommends that people 6 months and older start getting vaccinated by the end of October. . But whether you’re spending the rest of this month crafting the perfect Chapel Lawn outfit, or simply cowering in fear ahead of November’s presidential election, it’s not too late. The FDA said in a statement that even if you receive the vaccine after October, it will still provide protection.
The CDC, like the FDA, also encourages people to get the latest version of the influenza vaccine and the latest COVID-19 booster vaccine, noting that it is safe to receive both at the same time.
But wait, you’re saying this. I’ve heard some of the dumbest scammers on the internet say that vaccines are dangerous. Indeed, even a broken clock will be accurate twice a day. The flu shot can sometimes cause side effects such as aches and fever, but according to the Mayo Clinic, this is a result of your body producing flu antibodies and not being infected with the virus itself. . This doesn’t need to be said, but it’s this: The influenza vaccine does not cause autism.
Some people, like dogs, may feel unwell for a day or so after receiving a seasonal jab, but they don’t actually have the flu. The distinction between influenza and flu-like symptoms may seem like a play on semantics, but it’s actually important. Although the symptoms are unpleasant, the actual virus can be deadly. According to the FDA, there will be between 25,000 and 72,000 flu-related deaths, up to 830,000 hospitalizations, and 30 million flu-related medical visits in the U.S. during the 2023-24 season. That’s what it means. In the previous year, which was considered a moderate-severity year for influenza, vaccines were estimated to have prevented 3,700 deaths, 65,000 hospitalizations, and 6 million illnesses.
The FDA strongly recommends that children, pregnant women, and people 65 and older, who are most at risk for serious complications, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Because there are multiple strains of the virus circulating, people who have recently had the flu should still get vaccinated. Anyone wanting to find out where they can get vaccinated should visit the vaccine.gov website. People who prefer medication delivery may be able to receive the first flu vaccine, approved by the FDA in September, at home through online pharmacies.
This vaccine is not perfect because it only targets a small number of virus strains. For example, vaccines released for the 2021 flu season were found to be only about 14% effective (a universal flu vaccine is in development but not yet ready for mass use). So getting vaccinated is a good start, but if you want to avoid spending days on the couch, moaning in all-over pain, coughing up buckets of mucus, and the slightest chance of dying, other You can take steps. Stay healthy. The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing your hands frequently with soap (or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and using an air purifier when indoors. It is recommended to use . Also, be sure to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Wearing a mask may also be a wise step, although it’s been controversial for some reason lately.
Now, everyone, let’s go out and enjoy autumn to the fullest. Pumpkin spice season only comes once a year.
