To Your Health: Flu shots best defense against disease

With respiratory virus season approaching, it’s the right time to remind ourselves that vaccines are available to protect us against the common viruses that can lead to serious illness in the more vulnerable members of our community.

The flu shot is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older and is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death associated with the flu. To understand how this vaccine helps us manage flu season, we’ll review what the flu shot is and how it works.

The flu vaccine introduces a protein from the virus to our bodies and stimulates the production of antibodies, which fight the disease and create a degree of immunity in case we encounter the real virus later. It takes about two weeks for our immunity to be at its most effective, so it’srecommended that we get vaccinated now before the flu season ramps up. Each year, the vaccine is made to offer immunity to the strains of the flu virus that are expected to be most prevalent and troublesome that season. That’s why it is important to get your flu vaccine EACH year.

There are a few ways the flu vaccine can be made.

It can be created from an inactivated virus, which means the particles have been grown in a culture and have lost their ability to create disease. The vaccine can also be made from a recombinant virus, which means it’s been created synthetically and can’t reproduce or cause disease. The third method is to use a live but weakened virus, which is delivered as a nasal spray vaccine. Although the live vaccine works as well as the other two methods, it’s not recommended for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women or people with certain medical conditions.

Most flu vaccines are made using a process that entails the virus being injected into fertilized chicken eggs, where the virus incubates and replicates for several days. This egg-based process means a minute amount of egg protein may be in the vaccine, but the amount is so small that it’snegligible to most people with an egg allergy. Only in instances where someone has a history of severe anaphylaxis – a life-threatening allergic reaction – should someone with an egg allergy be concerned. There is a limited supply of egg-free flu vaccines for those with a history of anaphylaxis.

As always, the flu vaccine is our best protection against the flu, but we can also do our part to prevent the spread of the flu in our community. If you’re sick, stay home, avoid close contact with others, and wear a mask if you have to visit public places. Whether you’re sick or not, washing your hands regularly will help reduce the spread of the virus.

These practices will also help us manage other viruses that typically spike during the upcoming season, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Fortunately, there are vaccines to help mitigate serious illness for those viruses as well, and you can inquire about getting those vaccines when you make an appointment for your flu shot.

Talk to your doctor about your risks for serious illness and health complications if you contract any of these respiratory viruses. Available vaccines are safe and effective, and you can make your appointment today.