Health

Time For Your Annual Flu Shot

by Barbara McPherson | October 4, 2008 at 09:06 am

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As we move into the annual flu season, it's time to line up for that little shot in the arm. Influenza is a serious viral disease that often reaches epidemic proportions in N. America during the winter months. The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable to complications.

This year's vaccine contains protection against three new variations of the virus. It is always a moving target as the influenza virus is constantly changing. The worry is that it will change(mutate) a great deal in one year or gang up with an avian or swine flu virus to sidestep our immune systems. The spectre of a Spanish Flu epidemic is always lurking, but other less famous epidemics rush around the globe about once every ten years, killing many.

How soon will vaccine be available?
Vaccine should be available in many locations now. Vaccine manufacturers ship their vaccine in lots as it comes off the production lines. Several manufacturers of U.S. influenza vaccine began shipping vaccine for the 2008-09 influenza season in August. Most of the vaccine is expected to be distributed by the end of November.

If I get vaccinated now will I be protected all season?
Yes. The protection (immunity) provided by the vaccine lasts about a year, so vaccination in August or September provides protection for the duration of the United States flu season, which can last until April or May. Getting vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available may be most important for children being vaccinated against flu for the first time, who need to get two doses of flu vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.

Will this year's vaccine protect me against the flu?
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. This year’s influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains.

The above information is from the American CDC, but Canadians should be getting flu shots soon as well. For those people in British Columbia who are over 65 years, there is an additional shot available that protects against several kinds of viral pneumonia, a common complication of influenza.