Every year, the flu vaccine targets the three influenza strains that are most likely to circulate and cause illness across the country - influenza A, B, and C
To get solid and full protection during the ongoing cold and flu season, you must get the influenza vaccine now, says the US Food and Drug Administration. According to the health authority, the ideal time to get the flu vaccine is by the end of October.
“Flu viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February,” the agency added. “Getting vaccinated in the fall can lower your chances of getting the flu.”
Every year, the flu vaccine targets the three influenza strains that are most likely to circulate and cause illness across the country - influenza A, B, and C. Only influenza A and B cause epidemics. Of these two types, there are generally two distinct strains that go in circulation, and the strains are different enough that immunity to one of them does not confer immunity to the others.
According to the FDA, the strains are identified by watching flu trends in the southern hemisphere, where the wintertime cold and flu season is taking place while America sees the summer season. “The flu vaccine will trigger your immune system to produce antibodies to protect against influenza disease -- it will not make you sick with the flu,” the FDA added. “It can take about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, which is an important reason to get your flu vaccine early before flu activity starts.”
Why is an influenza shot needed every year?
According to experts, every year you need to upgrade your influenza shots because viruses mutate rapidly into new strains that try to evade previous immune protection. And so, annual vaccination plays a crucial role in curbing the spread of the flu, as it reduces the risk of both catching and passing on the virus to others. When more people are vaccinated, it creates a protective barrier, making it harder for the flu to spread through communities.
And apart from the protection provided, the flu vaccine’s efficacy reduces over time and might be too low to prevent a person from catching the flu this season. “Anyone can get sick with flu,” the FDA said. “Typically, children and people age 65 years and older are most at risk of developing serious complications from influenza. In addition, pregnant people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are also most at risk of complications.”
Statistics on flu in the US
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the 2023-2024 US flu season, there were:
- 35 million to 65 million flu illnesses
- 16 million to 30 million flu-related medical visits
- 390,000 to 830,000 flu-related hospitalizations
- 25,000 to 72,000 flu-related deaths
The CDC also estimates that thanks to the flu vaccine, Americans avoided:
- 6 million influenza-related illnesses
- 2.9 million influenza-associated medical visits
- 65,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations
- 3,700 influenza-associated deaths
The FDA says even though it is the right time to get the shot, you can still benefit from it as fall turns to winter. “If you have already been sick with the flu this season without getting vaccinated, getting a flu vaccine is still important because it helps prevent disease caused by three different strains of flu viruses,” the FDA added. “You likely were infected with one type of flu virus strain, so the vaccine would offer protection against the strains that you haven’t already had,” the statement continued.
How do influenza shots work?
Doctors say flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.
Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
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