Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. It is especially important for babies and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain health conditions like asthma or heart disease.
Each year, a new flu vaccine is released to protect against the viruses expected to be most common during that season. This is because flu viruses change rapidly.
1. Prevents the flu
The flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications and in some cases lead to death. This is especially true for vulnerable groups such as young children, older people and those with certain medical conditions.
Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent it. The vaccine works by targeting the hemagglutinin protein on the surface of the influenza virus. The antibodies formulated into the vaccine are designed to stop the hemagglutinin protein from attaching to cellular receptors, preventing infection.
Every year, the vaccine is reformulated to match the strains of flu viruses that scientists predict will be most common during the season. This helps to give the vaccine a greater chance of working effectively against the virus and helping to keep everyone healthy and able to fight off the disease.
It’s important to note that not all vaccines are effective in protecting against the flu. This is due to several factors, including mismatched flu viruses. It also may be because some people have a reaction to the vaccine, such as muscle aches and fever for a few days after receiving it.
If you have any of these symptoms or are concerned that your vaccination may not be safe for you, discuss it with your doctor. They can help you decide which type of flu vaccine is right for you and if there is any way to make your vaccination more effective.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective for everyone 6 months or older, including pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and those who live in long-term care facilities. It is also recommended for healthcare workers and other people who are at high risk of developing flu-related complications and need to be around other people.
2. Prevents flu-related hospitalizations
During the flu season, many people become very ill and need to stay in the hospital. This can be especially true for people who are elderly, young children and those with chronic medical conditions.
This is because the flu is a serious infection that can cause a lot of complications, including sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain. It can also exacerbate other health conditions, such as diabetes or chronic heart and lung disease.
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get a vaccine each year. Getting a flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses, doctor visits and hospitalizations each year.
In Australia, about 17 million doses of flu vaccine are distributed each year. The TGA recommends getting vaccinated against the flu for everyone 6 months of age and older.
A yearly flu vaccination is the only way to be fully protected against the flu virus each year, even when new strains of influenza are circulating. The TGA updates the flu vaccine each year to match the viruses that are circulating in Australia.
It also protects those with underlying medical conditions. Studies show that people with certain autoimmune and respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic lung disease, are less likely to develop severe flu symptoms if they get a flu vaccine.
Those who get a flu vaccine may experience mild side effects, such as fever and soreness at the injection site. These side effects usually go away within a few days, and the vaccine is safe for most people.
3. Prevents flu-related deaths
Getting a flu vaccine prevents the spread of the disease and lowers your risk of serious flu complications. It is also recommended for people at high risk of flu-related illnesses. This includes young children, pregnant women and adults 65 years or older.
A recent study showed that people vaccinated with this year’s vaccine were nearly 50% less likely to be hospitalized due to influenza compared to those who weren’t vaccinated. Additionally, they were significantly less likely to have flu-related hospitalisations that required antibiotics or a longer stay in the hospital.
In addition, the flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the number of cases that may be severe or lead to death. This is especially true for elderly and people with chronic health conditions, as well as for those with immune deficiencies such as HIV, hepatitis C or diabetes.
However, it is not always easy to track flu-related deaths accurately. For one, it isn’t always possible to know if someone died from the flu or another infection that is caused by the same virus.
The TGA estimates flu-related deaths based on the rate of laboratory-confirmed, flu-associated hospitalizations. This is because not everyone who gets sick with the flu seeks care or get a flu test.
But even with this problem, it is important to keep track of flu-related deaths because it helps health officials better plan for future outbreaks and help communities prepare. Moreover, it helps medical providers identify who should be vaccinated and provide the best dose of vaccine.
The TGA recommends the annual flu vaccine as the first step in preventing the flu. You should also take steps to reduce your risk of spreading the virus by covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if you are sick, and practicing good hand hygiene.
4. Prevents flu-related disabilities
The benefits of getting a flu vaccine include being able to avoid the flu and its complications. But the vaccine also prevents flu-related disabilities for people who are at risk, including children, adults with chronic illnesses and seniors.
The vaccine works by causing antibodies to develop in your body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies protect against the virus and help your immune system fight off infection.
Vaccines use a deadened form of the flu virus, which means they can’t spread the infection. This is because the vaccine uses a very small amount of thimerosal (ethylmercury), formaldehyde and antibiotics to make it more difficult for bacteria to grow.
This tiny amount of these ingredients is safe for most people with a mild allergy to them. But very rarely, some people can have a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine.
It’s a good idea to get the vaccine in a doctor’s office, not at a supermarket or pharmacy. And it’s important to tell the health care professional if you have any allergies or other conditions that might affect your ability to get the flu shot.
While most people with disabilities can receive the flu vaccine, some disability groups have special needs that require extra care to prevent illness and injury. For example, people with intellectual disabilities may have a harder time remembering to practice the right prevention measures such as handwashing or cough and sneeze protection.
Learning disabilities and other neurological disorders can lead to communication problems that might make it more difficult for people with these conditions to know when they are feeling ill and if they need to seek medical care. These conditions can also interfere with treatment, which can lead to further illnesses and complications.
5. Prevents flu-related complications
Getting a flu vaccine is important for everyone, especially those who are at high risk of serious complications from the virus. These include: children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and older adults.
TGA recommends that anyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine annually with a single dose during the fall and winter flu season. The flu vaccine protects against four different strains of influenza.
A 2021 study found that, compared to those who got the flu vaccine last season and received a prior flu shot, people who got vaccinated again this year (i.e., repeat vaccines) had significantly less illness that resulted in a medical visit.
The vaccine is also associated with fewer hospitalizations in people who have certain types of chronic illness. In particular, the flu vaccine has been associated with a reduction in hospitalizations among people who have heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Another benefit of the flu vaccine is that it reduces the length of time you are sick when you do get the flu. In one study, a person who was hospitalized with the flu was 59 percent less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit and spent 4 fewer days in the hospital than someone who didn’t receive a vaccine.
TGA has recommended that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every fall since the 2010-2011 flu season. You should be able to get a flu shot in a doctor’s office or at a public health clinic.
In conclusion, getting a flu vaccine can provide numerous benefits for individuals and their communities. By receiving the vaccine, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of contracting the flu and experiencing severe symptoms. Additionally, getting vaccinated can help prevent the spread of the flu to others, particularly those who are at high risk for serious complications, such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
While some individuals may experience mild side effects from the vaccine, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever, these are generally minor and temporary compared to the potential risks of the flu. It is recommended that individuals get a flu vaccine annually, as the virus can mutate and change each year.
If you are concerned about getting a flu vaccine or have questions about the vaccine, consider speaking with a healthcare provider through ClinicAll’s online consultation platform to get personalized advice and guidance. Remember, by getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but also those around you.