
Protecting Public Health and Enhancing Personal Well-being
Seasonal vaccines are very important for keeping people healthy by helping to slow the spread of illnesses that come around each year, like the Flu, RSV or COVID-19. These vaccines help protect us from getting sick and make sure that if we do get sick, it’s not as serious. They also help keep our community safe by stopping diseases from spreading. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to keep many people healthy and stop diseases from becoming a big problem. Seasonal vaccines are specially made to fight illnesses that are more common at certain times of the year, so they are important for staying healthy.
Influenza Vaccine
The flu, also known as influenza, is a type of illness caused by a respiratory virus every year. The flu can be different each year, so the flu vaccine is updated every year to fight the most common types of the virus. This is done by keeping track of which flu viruses are spreading around the world and guessing which ones will be the most common. Getting the flu vaccine each year helps protect you from getting the flu. It helps your body learn how to fight off the flu, so you don’t get very sick. Even if you do catch the flu, the vaccine can make the illness less severe and lower the chances of getting sick or needing to go to the hospital. This is especially important for older people, young kids, and those with health problems who can get very sick from the flu.
5 Facts about the Flu Vaccine:
- The Flu Vaccine cannot cause the flu
- The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. The vaccine contains either inactivated (killed) virus or a small piece of the virus, which cannot replicate and cause illness. Some may experience mild side effects, but this is not the flu and typically resolved quickly.
- The Flu Vaccine is effective
- While the flu vaccine is not 100% effective, it significantly reduces the risk of getting the flu and its severity if you do get it. Vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year based on how well the vaccine strains match the circulating viruses, but even when the match is not perfect, the vaccine can still reduce the severity of the illness and prevent complications
- The Flu Vaccine is necessary every year
- The influenza virus changes frequently, requiring updates to the vaccine each year. Annual vaccination is necessary to protect against the most current strains of the virus. The immune protection from the vaccine also wanes over time, making it important to get vaccinated each year for optimal protection.
- The Flu Vaccine is safe
- The flu vaccine is rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness before being approved for use. Side effects are generally mild and temporary, such as a sore arm or low-grade fever. Serious side effects are extremely rare. The benefits of vaccination in preventing flu and its complications far outweigh the risks of potential side effects.
- You need to get the flu vaccine if you’ve already had the flu
- Having had the flu in the past does not guarantee protection against future strains of the virus, as influenza viruses can vary from year to year. The flu vaccine provides protection against the most current strains, and vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu again and to avoid spreading it to others.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 is another respiratory virus that can cause serious complications. COVID-19 vaccines, though not traditionally seasonal, have become an essential part of managing the pandemic, especially with the emergence of new variants. Vaccination against COVID-19 helps in managing new variants and maintaining community immunity. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available and are recommended for everyone 6 months and older to address evolving strains of the virus.
RSV Vaccine
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is another common respiratory virus that can be mild for many people but can cause severe infections in older adults and adults with certain underlying conditions. RSV vaccine is recommended for babies up to 12 months old, especially for those who are 6 months old or younger. It’s also important for adults who are 60 years old and older. Some adults are at higher risk for severe RSV, including older adults, those with long-term health problems, weak immune systems, or people who live in nursing homes or care facilities. The CDC also suggests that pregnant people get an RSV vaccine between weeks 32 and 36 of their pregnancy.
Receiving seasonal vaccines provides direct protection against specific diseases, reducing the likelihood of illness and its associated complications. This protection is especially crucial for high-risk groups, including the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Vaccinated individuals are less likely to transmit infectious diseases to others. This not only protects the individual but also contributes to reducing the overall transmission of diseases within the community.
Seasonal vaccines help people stay healthy and feel better overall. When people get vaccinated, they miss fewer days of work or school, spend less on medical bills, and are less likely to get very sick. This helps them live a happier and more productive life. Some people are still worried about vaccines because they hear wrong information about how safe and effective they are. It’s important to receive clear and accurate information to help understand why vaccines are important and why they are encouraged.
FAQ
What is the difference between flu and COVID-19?
Flu and COVID-19 are both infectious respiratory illnesses but are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus and flu is caused by infection with an influenza virus.
Can you get a flu vaccine after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, there is no required time interval in between time interval in between the two vaccines. You can get a flu shot after getting a COVID-19 vaccine or you get can get a COVID-19 vaccine and then get a flu shot. You can even get both vaccines at the same time it it’s the right time to get them both.
I got a COVID-19 vaccine, do I need a flu vaccine?
Flu vaccines do not protect against COVID-19. Flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death in addition to other important benefits. Likewise, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against COVID-19, but those vaccines do not protect against flu.
What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines?
CDC expects flu and COVID-19 to spread this fall and winter so it’s important this year to get a flu shot and get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You can get both vaccines at the same time if it’s the right time to get them both. They are your best protection against these two illnesses.
Does a flu vaccination increase your risk of getting COVID-19?
No, there is no evidence that getting a flu shot increases your risk of getting COVID-19.
How long after an infection with COVID-19 should I wait to get the vaccine?
If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine for three months after the infection.
Preventive Actions
- Take time to get your vaccines. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines help to reduce the burden of illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the heath care system each year. Vaccinations have been shown to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
- Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. The CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours, until your symptoms are better, and you have not had a fever (without using fever reducing medication).
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after one use. Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as you can infect yourself if your hands aren’t clean.
- You can improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.
- Take antiviral medications if your medical provider prescribes them.
- Contact your healthcare team if you have questions about vaccines!
Resources
https://getmyflushot.org/#protect-yourself
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rsv.html