Influenza started circulating two months earlier than normal , and the largest number of cases were in children ages 5 to 9 . This really emphasizes that even young people should be getting their flu shot .”
— Soniya Gandhi , MD
It ’ s a conundrum , as the NFID survey says that respondents indicated that they trust medical practitioners for providing accurate and trustworthy vaccine information , far more than other sources .
During the 2021-2022 flu season , CDC estimates 51 percent of the overall U . S . population age 6 months and older received a flu vaccine , which was similar to coverage during the 2020-2021 season . Flu vaccination among all adults was 49 percent , with coverage increasing with age : 37 percent for adults aged 18 to 49 years , 52 percent for adults aged 50 to 64 years , and 74 percent for adults aged 65 years and older . This trend in coverage by age is consistent with prior seasons .
The NFID survey also shows that the majority ( 78 percent ) of adults aged 65 years and older know that this year , certain flu vaccines ( high dose , recombinant , and adjuvanted flu vaccines ) are preferentially recommended for them , as they help boost the immune response in older adults . Among children aged 6 months to 17 years , flu vaccination coverage was 58 percent for the 2021-2022 flu season , which is a decrease of about 6 percentage points compared to 2019-2020 .
Cennimo emphasizes that one person ’ s flu vaccination can save lives . “ As we have seen with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 , people can unknowingly have the flu and gravely affect vulnerable elderly , children and those who have impaired immune systems , such as cancer patients and people with HIV or pulmonary disease . The more you suppress influenza through vaccination , the less opportunity the virus has to mutate and infect more people . You ’ ll also have lower viral loads and will shed the virus – and be infectious – for shorter periods of time .”
He acknowledges vaccine hesitancy but notes , “ Flu vaccines are the most tested and adverse effects are small . Extremely rare side effects – like allergic reaction – can happen , but the risk is still lower than with many other common medications . Unless someone with an egg allergy has had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past , they should get the vaccine . If their allergy is serious , they should be monitored while taking the shot . Also , there are two vaccines not made in eggs : rIIV , a recombinant protein , and ccIIV , which is made in cell culture .”
Cennimo also counters the claim that the flu vaccine “ causes ” the flu : “ The vaccine takes two weeks to be effective , so people still could contract the flu during this period . The vaccine exposes your body to a weakened form of the virus , which allows you to mount an immune response . Essentially , you are getting a ‘ mini flu ’ illness , which is why some people may feel ill after getting the vaccine .”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), there were approximately 880,000 influenza illnesses nationwide , 6,900 hospitalizations , and 360 flu deaths according to data estimates for the week ending Oct . 22 , 2022 . The CDC ’ s influenza surveillance network , which tracked the results of 13 states , says the cumulative hospitalizations rate has not escalated this quickly since the 2010-2011 influenza season . As we know , influenza season is generally October through May , with notable peaks in December and January .
With indications that this year ’ s flu season could be significant , hospitals are faced with ramping up personnel and resources even while struggling to emerge from a post-COVID hangover .
by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019 and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses . Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar , it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone , and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis . While it ’ s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter , CDC believes it ’ s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading . In this context , getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever .
Myth # 6 : Flu vaccines contain dangerous ingredients like mercury , formaldehyde and antifreeze
Flu shot ingredients are safe and even persons with egg allergies can receive flu vaccines
Myth # 7 : You can still get the flu even after getting a flu shot
While it ’ s true that the flu shot cannot offer 100 percent protection against the flu , it does reduce your risk of getting more serious disease from it . Many people mistake symptoms from colds and other illnesses for the flu .
Myth # 8 : The stomach flu is influenza
The stomach flu refers to a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses unrelated to influenza .
Myth # 9 : The way you feel after the flu shot means you have the flu
The most common side effects of the flu shot are mild , such as headache , fatigue , cough , low fever and arm soreness lasting a couple of days . Fewer than 1 in a million people experience severe allergic reactions . It ’ s possible to get sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated ( although you won ’ t know for sure unless you get a flu test ). This is possible for the following reasons : You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated . This exposure may result in you becoming ill with the flu before the vaccine begins to protect you . About two weeks after vaccination , antibodies that provide protection develop in the body . You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine . There are many different flu viruses that circulate every year . The flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common .
Myth # 10 : If you haven ’ t gotten the flu shot by November , there ’ s no point in getting one
Getting the flu shot any time during flu season will reduce your risk of getting the flu .