It’s not too late to get the flu shot
For those of you who have not received this year’s influenza shot or are still on the fence about whether you should, it’s not too late!
You may be hearing about the “Super Flu” that is currently circulating and that this year’s flu vaccine is not a perfect match to prevent catching the flu. Yet, the vaccine can still offer significant protection against it and other strains which can help reduce community spread, the severity, duration, and chances of ending up hospitalized.
Each year the flu makes people sick, so hedging bets by getting vaccinated may indeed lead to a win in terms of your health for the remainder of this winter and coming spring. The flu vaccine is widely available and, in most cases, covered by insurance; but remember it takes about two weeks from the time you get it for your immune system to develop antibodies needed to best protect you.
We all know that influenza is a yearly occurrence and that annual flu shots have long been recommended by healthcare professionals, so why the hesitancy? Here are the most common reasons people report for not seeking the flu shot along with rebuttals:
- The flu vaccine is not safe and can give me the flu. No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu! The flu vaccine is widely considered safe having undergone 50 years of research and hundreds of millions of doses given. There are common side effects that can occur, like muscle aches, fever, and nausea. Just remember that these symptoms are an immune system response, not the flu. The most reported side effects are swelling, soreness, and redness at the injection site.
- I am healthy with a strong immune system, so I do not need it. It is true that those with chronic health conditions, are pregnant, very young or old, are at a higher risk of severe complications from catching the flu. Even so, the CDC warns that no one is completely immune from getting sick, developing serious complications, or spreading the virus to others.
- I got the flu shot last year, so I do not need another one so soon. Viruses are continually changing or mutating as evidenced by the “K” strain circulating now. Scientists study these changes to best predict what strains might be predominant during the following season and tweak the formulations yearly to offer us the best protection.
As a school nurse, I focus heavily on promoting illness prevention. I frequently recommend handwashing, practicing sneezing and cough etiquette, staying home when sick, improving indoor air quality, and advocating that students receive both school required and seasonal (flu, COVID-19) vaccinations according to immunization schedule. I strongly encourage having conversations with both yours and your child’s primary healthcare provider if you have questions and concerns or would like clarification regarding recent CDC recommendations. When it comes to making decisions related to our health and wellbeing, being comfortable having open and honest discussions can be especially helpful so that you are better informed.
Sources: Association of School Nurses, CDC, American Medical Association
Núu’apagha (Speak Ute)
- páana – bread
- karʉˈnapʉ̠ – chair
- panaqarʉ̠ – money
- táasigyarʉ̠ – paper
- kwáatʉ̠ – car
- pɵˈɵˈnapʉ̠ – pencil
- navarʉgiˈnapʉ̠ – soap
Mʉatagopɵˈɵkwatʉvana (On our calendar)
- Feb. 11: Family Night event
- Feb. 12: School Board meeting
- Feb. 13: No school for students – teacher workday
- Feb. 16: No school – President’s Day
- Feb. 17: Parent Advisory Group meeting
- Feb. 17-20: Family conference week