Flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months and especially encouraged for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
The vaccine takes about two weeks to kick in. There’s still time to get a vaccination ahead of the peak of flu season, which is typically in January or February.
The McDonough County Health Department’s Cynthia Sheffler said there’s plenty of vaccine available. She said this year’s flu strain is the same as last year’s.
“The vaccine does wane, your immunities wane so you need to boost that immunity again with a vaccine each year,” Sheffler said.
The Centers for Disease Control reports the flu vaccine cannot give someone the flu. But there can be side effects associated with the shot such as fever, aches and soreness, and redness or swelling where the shot was given.
Sheffler said any potential side effects would be a slight inconvenience in comparison to getting the flu.
“You’re much sicker with actual influenza than you are with side effects to a flu vaccine. It’s just your immune response reacting to the vaccine, which is why they are feeling achy, maybe feverish, headache. Those don’t last but a couple of days,” Sheffler said.
There are a several varieties of the flu vaccines available including a nasal spray and even a high-dose injection for people age 65 and older.
