This is the Best Time to Get Your Flu Shots as Flu Season is Fast Approaching

With winter drawing near, public health doctors are saying that this is the best time to get flu shots. Flu vaccines administered during this period would certainly last through to spring.

However, there is bad news for kids who have avoided the needle last year. Many parents whose children are too petrified to get the needle shots usually use the Flu Mist nasal spray as the alternative. This year however, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said to not use the nasal spray anymore. The CDC determined that this method did not work last year.

According to the CDC, last flu season’s records show that the nasal spray’s effectivity among children between 2 to 17 was only at 3 percent.  The CDC said that “no protective benefit could be measured.”

Standard flu shots on the other hand shows a 63 percent effectiveness between the same age group.

Dr. Matt Zahn, medical director at the Orange County Health Care Agency said, “We know that this year some kids who were getting the nasal vaccine in the past will be getting a shot. You have to go with what works.”

Best time to take the shots

The Flu shot can take about two weeks to reach full immunity. With this regard, the CDC advised everyone age 6 months or older to have their flu shots taken before September. Dr. Ben Schwartz acting director for acute communicable disease control program for the LA County Department of Public Health said. “If you’re going to the pharmacy to pick something up, while you’re there, get vaccinated. If you’re going to the doctor for an annual check-up, while you’re there, get vaccinated.”

This year’s flu shot include two new strains, which offers protection to H1N1 as well as influenza A and B.

CDC says that about 5 to 20 percent of Americans acquire the flu each year. About 3,000 to 49,000 of those will die of complications. “Every year, thousands of people will die of influenza in the U.S.,” Zahn said. “We’ve come to accept it but we don’t have to.”

The post This is the Best Time to Get Your Flu Shots as Flu Season is Fast Approaching appeared first on Newsline.