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Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu season is upon us and it’s more important than ever to get your flu shot. Upper respiratory viruses, like the flu, are common through Fall, Winter and early Spring. Considering the immense strain of COVID-19 on patient health and healthcare systems, public health experts are expressing concern with the potential for an overlap between COVID-19 and the flu this year. Getting your flu shot is a critical step in protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Best Time to Get Your Flu Shot

The best time for you to get your flu shot is right now! September and October are the most highly recommended months for getting your flu vaccine so you are protected before the peak of the season, which typically lasts from the fall until early spring. Data compiled by the CDC based on 35 years of flu data charts the peak month of flu season from 1982 to 2018.

While February is the most common month for the flu to peak, December, January, and March are also fairly common peak months during flu season. Keep in mind that it’s not just the peak of the season that’s important, but also the severity of the flu. The most recent severe flu season was 2017-2018, where an estimated 45 million Americans were infected. It can take up to two weeks to build immunity after your flu shot, which is why you should schedule your flu shot now!

 

Benefits of the Flu Shot

Millions of people get the flu each year, with hundreds of thousands being hospitalized and tens of thousands dying from flu-related causes. The are many benefits to the flu vaccine, including:

How Flu Vaccines Are Made

There are three types of vaccine production methods in the United States: egg-based, cell-based, and recombinant. These vaccines are a year-round effort by microbiologists, epidemiologists, phyisicians and other public health experts. All of these vaccines are tested and approved by the FDA prior to their release.

Egg-based vaccines are the most common type of vaccine manufacturing process and have been in use for over 70 years. Cell-based vaccines gained FDA approval in 2012 and offer an egg-free (for those with severe egg allergies) manufacturing process that is faster than traditional egg-based vaccines. Recombinant vaccines are synthetically produced, not relying on egg- or cell-based viruses, and have the fastest development and production process.

Vaccines are categorized into two major groups: Inactivated (killed) Vaccines and Attenuated (weakened) Vaccines. The most common type of vaccine is the Inactivated Vaccine (known as the common “flu shot”), including High-Dose, Standard, and Egg-Free vaccines. Attenuated Vaccines are only available as a Nasal Spray, and should be advised by your primary care provider. Take a look at the 411 Vaccine Chart for a more in-depth breakdown of the types of flu vaccines that are available.

Which Flu Vaccines We Offer

You may hear terms like “High Dose” and “Quadrivalent” when learning about the different types of flu vaccines. Let’s talk about what these terms mean and what vaccines are offered at Southwest Orlando Family Medicine.

High Dose: High-Dose vaccines contain four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot, aimed at helping provide more protection against the flu. These vaccines are reserved specifically for people 65 years and older.

Quadrivalent: Trivalent and Quadrivalent simply refer to the number of viruses that a vaccine aims to protect against. Quadrivalent vaccines protect against four different strains of the flu virus.

Southwest Orlando Family Medicine offers the following flu shots for patients. For patients 65 and older, we provide the flu vaccine in the following order, based on availability:

  1. High-Dose Quadrivalent Vaccine (Fluzone)
  2. Recombinant Quadrivalent Vaccine (Flublok)
  3. Standard Dose Quadrivalent Vaccine (FluLaval)

While High-Dose Quadrivalent is recommended for people 65 years and older, it has historically seen nationwide shortages due to demand. However, standard flu shots are still effective at preventing the virus and reducing the symptoms. The CDC “recommends flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against flu.” The bottom line is that any flu shot is better than no flu shot. Getting your flu shot is the goal!

For all ages under 65, Southwest Orlando Family Medicine offers:

  1. Standard Dose Quadrivalent Vaccine (FluLaval)
  2. Recombinant Quadrivalent Vaccine (Flublok)

Who Should Get A Flu Shot?

The flu shot is recommended for everyone ages 6+ months and older. It’s especially important for high-risk patients, including patients 65 and older, patients with Chronic Illnesses (like Asthma and COPD), patients with or at risk of Heart Disease, pregnant women, and patients with Diabetes. Take a look at the chart below provided by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases on the dangers of the flu and why adults with chronic health conditions need to get vaccinated.

Flu Shot Myths

The flu shot is recommended annually in order to help reduce the spread and symptoms of the flu. Chances are, you’ve heard some of the common misconceptions or myths about the flu shot below. We’re here to debunk the myths and help keep you informed on why you should get yours. Here are the most common flu shot myths we hear.

“I get sick when I get the flu shot.”– You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Flu vaccines done with a needle (the most common form of the flu shot) are made with inactivated (killed) viruses which will not cause the flu. While some patients may experience cold-like symptoms as a result of the shot, they are generally mild and self-resolving. Having the sniffles or a mild sore throat is a low-risk alternative to avoiding potential complications from the flu.

“I’m healthy, I don’t need the flu shot.” – Even healthy, young adults can be sidelined by the flu for a week, if not longer. Not only that, but you are contagious with the flu before and after you start showing symptoms. When you get the flu, you risk passing it on to those at high risk, like children under 12 and adults 65 and older. By getting your flu shot, you reduce your chances of getting the flu by 40-60 percent! Help protect your loved ones, your co-workers, your neighbors, and yourself by getting your flu shot.

“I got the flu shot and I still got the flu.” – The flu shot is meant to protect you from the viruses that research indicates will be most common during the flu season. While this helps significantly reduce your chances of getting the flu, the flu shot also helps reduce symptoms if you do get the flu.

“The flu isn’t that bad. I can tough it out.” Symptoms and complications from the flu can exacerbate a patient’s pre-existing health conditions, can lead to pneumonia if left untreated, and can be life-threatening.

“It takes too long, I don’t have time.” – With our fast and easy online appointment booking, you can schedule your flu shot visit in minutes. The flu shot is free for patients with insurance. For those patients without insurance, we offer self-pay for the flu shot for $30. We’ve also introduced our Drive-Up Flu Shot, making it even easier to get your flu shot and keep your day going. The CDC recommends that people get their flu vaccine by the end of October. So, what are you waiting for?

Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 Symptoms

People sometimes mistake a bad cold for the flu, however, common colds and the flu are not the same. While a cold’s symptoms are usually gradual with some common upper respiratory issues (coughing, stuffy nose, sore throat), the flu comes on suddenly, resulting in fever, chills, cough, muscle and body aches, fatigue, and more. When it comes to the differences between the flu and COVID-19, they may share similar symptoms depending on the severity of each illness.

We have protocol in place at our offices to provide COVID-19 Rapid Testing with same-day results as well as other common Upper Respiratory illnesses. Based on your symptoms and potential exposure, we can test up to 4 common Upper Respiratory conditions, including COVID-19, the Flu, Strep Throat, and RSV. Each illness may require a specific swab for testing and can be done from the comfort of your car with our Drive-Up Flu Shot and Car Waiting Room process. Book an appointment with our clinical team today if you are concerned you are sick. Take a look at the chart below for a better understanding of the differences in symptoms between COVID-19, the cold, the flu, seasonal allergies, and asthma.

Get Your Flu Shot!

The best time for you to get your flu shot is right now! Booking your appointment takes minutes and our Drive-Up Flu Shot is fast, easy, and safe. Help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community before we reach the peak of flu season. With the concerns regarding both COVID-19 and the flu overlapping, let’s each do our part. Caring for ourselves and each other is essential as we work diligently to reduce the spread of the flu and COVID-19.

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Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is intended for educational purposes only and not intended to replace your individual medical advice. Please review this information with your clinical team to ensure it is appropriate for your individual medical needs. The information contained is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.