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6 Things to Know Before You Get Your Flu Shot
November 01, 2024
Is the flu shot on your to-do list?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 31 million flu cases in 2023. And on top of that, there were 360,000 hospitalizations and 21,000 deaths from the disease.
“The flu shot is crucial for reducing incidence, severity and complications associated with influenza, a contagious viral respiratory illness,” notes Christelle Nimba, APRN, with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Trumbull. “Getting vaccinated helps protect the individual and the broader community through herd immunity.”
Here’s what you need to know before you get your flu shot.
1. The flu shot formula changes every year.
Flu viruses, Nimba explains, change constantly, so new vaccines are always being created.
“Each year, the vaccine is updated to target the most prevalent strains circulating in the community,” she says, adding that, “immunity from the flu vaccine also wanes over time, making annual vaccination necessary to maintain optimal protection.”
Scientists from the CDC and World Health Organization monitor circulating flu strains globally to determine the strains most likely to be prevalent in the upcoming season in the U.S., Nimba says.
Based on this data, vaccine developers create a vaccine formula to target those strains, she adds.
2. It takes two weeks to build immunity after vaccination.
The vaccine introduces influenza virus to your body, which naturally builds immunity against it.
The process takes about two weeks after the vaccine, so you are still susceptible to infection in that time, Nimba says.
> Related: When Is It Too Early To Get A Flu Shot?
3. If you do get the flu after vaccination, it should be more mild.
Unfortunately, it’s possible to get the flu even if you had the vaccine. But the good news it that the infection should be less severe, she says.
“Vaccinated people who get the flu generally experience milder symptoms, shorter illness and reduced risk of severe complications, hospitalization and death,” she says.
4. Flu shots reduce hospitalizations.
While she recommends everyone eligible for the flu vaccine get it, Nimba says vaccination is especially important for anyone at higher risk for severe complications.
This includes:
- Older adults
- People with chronic health conditions like heart disease or diabetes
- Pregnant women
- Anyone considered immunocompromised
“These people are more susceptible to complications like pneumonia, hospitalization and even death from flu,” Nimba says. “Studies have shown that vaccination can reduce risk of flu-related hospitalization in older adults and those with chronic conditions by up to 60%.”
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5. When healthy people vaccinate, it helps protect your parents and grandparents.
Even if you’re healthy, you should still get the flu vaccine. That’s because the vaccine keeps you from spreading the disease to others, especially vulnerable populations like elderly parents.
“We call this community or ‘herd’ immunity, which can lower overall risk of flu transmission in a household or community,” Nimba explains. “Vaccinating healthy individuals helps protect those who may be more susceptible to severe outcomes.”
6. 2 groups of people who should not get the flu vaccine.
There are, however, some who should avoid flu vaccine for medical reasons, Nimba says. Those include anyone who:
- Had a severe allergic reaction to previous influenza vaccine or components.
- Have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
“These people – and anyone with concerns about allergies or other medical conditions – should consult their healthcare provider for guidance,” Nimba says. “For most people, the flu vaccine is safe and recommended.”