Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Flu Shot

Heath experts are currently warning against the possibility of a “twindemic”: a severe flu season combined with the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve health care resources,” Dr. Lawrence Madoff, medical director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, told USA Today.

Because the initial symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, dangerous misdiagnoses could occur. Also, it’s possible to catch both diseases at the same time, increasing the potential severity of each.

Your kids need to be protected from the flu because the disease can cause serious complications in children. As previously reported in Mom.com, every year millions of kids get sick with the flu and thousands are hospitalized. The 2017-2018 flu season was one of the most severe seasons on record, in which 185 children died of flu-associated deaths.

The flu shot is a vaccine against seasonal influenza that lowers your risk of getting the disease by 40 – 60 %. Additionally, getting a flu shot helps to prevent giving the flu to your family and to reduce spread in the community. The vaccine uses deactivated flu viruses to activate your immune system, causing antibodies to form in about two weeks.

Because the flu vaccine lasts around six months and the flu virus changes each year, you need to get revaccinated yearly. There are different types of flu vaccines, depending on age (child, adult, senior) or possible allergies. Your doctor or medical provider will help you choose the most appropriate vaccine for you and your family.

The CDC states that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season. It’s especially important for people at high risk of complications. Babies under 6 months can’t get the vaccine because they haven’t yet developed an immune response. If you think your baby has been exposed to the flu, watch for common symptoms and call your pediatrician if they progress. Most children over 6 months and younger than 9 will need 2 doses given at least four weeks apart. Again, check with your doctor for personalized information.

When and where to get the flu shot

Flu viruses are most common in fall and winter. According to the CDC, the exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza often begins to increase in October and peaks between December and February, although it can last until May.

“We want to have as many people get flu shots as possible, however it’s important to make sure that you get the flu shot when it’s going to be most effective,” infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Maryland, told Health. He also recommends getting the flu shot in October, which may be “more optimal for protection.” Don’t worry though, it’s better late than never to get vaccinated.

Flu shots are available from your doctor, and at pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, local health departments, and even some big box stores like Walmart and Costco. This handy Vaccine Finder from Boston Children’s Hospital will help you locate flu shots near you.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, your health insurance must cover flu and other vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance. Check with your insurance company to find out if you must go to a specific facility to receive the vaccine. Some insurance plans only cover vaccines given by your doctor or at a limited set of locations. For those without insurance, prices vary, and you can find price comparisons, discounts and access to free services online.

For the majority of people, reactions to the flu shot are minor, such as soreness or redness and swelling where the shot was given, low-grade headaches, slight fever, nausea, muscle aches, or fatigue.

And no, the flu shot doesn’t give you the flu, even though you might feel that way. “Logically I know the flu shot is not a live virus and cannot give you the flu, however, the flu-like symptoms always convince me the shot gave me the flu,” Southern Californian mom of two Lynee Port earlier confessed to Mom.com.

When to call the doctor

You should keep in mind that serious side effects from the flu shot are extremely rare. Symptoms may include:

• High fever (above 101°F)
• Hives
• Trouble breathing
• Fast heart rate
• Dizziness
• Weakness

If you experience any of these symptoms you should call your doctor. If they are severe, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.