So it's flu season and everyone is rushing to their clinics or pharmacies for the flu shot. It seems the flu has a way of always showing up around the fall and winter months. But what should you expect this flu season? Today we will talk about how to prepare for flu season, where to get the flu vaccine, and learn how many vaccines are available this year. Which is information that everyone has access to on the CDC website.
How to Prepare for Flu season 2013-2014
So flu season typically starts in January and February but flu activity usually starts around October. And because "epidemics of the flu happen every year, the timing, length and severity varies" (CDC). Therefore in order to prepare for the flu season the CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months get a yearly flu vaccine. This is the most important step in protecting yourself from the flu. Even though the flu does change very often, the vaccine protects against the three main flu strains. In addition to the flu vaccine, "STAY AWAY" from sick people.Where to get a flu vaccine
You can get a flu vaccine at your doctors office, pharmacy, public clinic, college health facility, and sometime they are even provided by your employer. And get the vaccine soon because manufacturers only project that about 135 million doses of flu vaccines will be available this 2013-2014 year which mean that about 200 million Americans will not get a chance to get the flu shot.
What kind of vaccine are available?
Like I had mentioned above most flu vaccines protect against three strains and that is why it is called "trivalent". But there are flu vaccines that are "quadrivalent". The differences in these vaccine has to do with the types of strains that it protects against and the how the vaccine was developed. The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over the other. Also most trivalent vaccines are in a injection form where as the quadrivalent comes in a nasal spray. Here is a link of the recommended flu vaccines, it shows how they were manufactured and what type of vaccine is recommended for you: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/quadrivalent.htm
In conclusion you should really plan on getting the flu vaccine this year, it gives you yearly protection against the flu and get it soon because once flu season really starts to get into gear, there might not be anymore shots left. Also if you want to you can click on this hyperlink that will take to the CDC website that will tell you everything you need to know about the influenza vaccine and its effectiveness.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2013-2014.htm
First image: http://www.empowernetwork.com/donandnatalie/files/2013/01/Flu-1.jpg
Second Image: http://wakemedvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/blowing-nose.jpg
Third image: http://www.funi-pics.com/album/I-hate-flu-season.jpg
Karen, I am fascinated by the fact that only 135 million doses of flu vaccines are available this year. My previous understanding was that everyone had the opportunity, if they so choose, to receive flu vaccinations. It’s somewhat unsettling to think about the aggressive campaigns that encourage people to get shots, while knowing that there isn’t enough for everyone. I sense an invisible economics layer that is influencing the supply of vaccines. I would love to learn more about the regulation of vaccine production, and why suppliers are knowingly producing a limited amount. Thanks for the insight!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog post especially with the little cartoon about the shots. I literally laughed out loud. Your blog is also very informative about when flu season is and when its actually active. I had no idea that the starts becoming active in October. I always assumed that it started when winter did. I also like that you posted a link about recommended flu vaccines. That is extremely helpful for readers even I might check it out! thanks!
ReplyDeleteP.S still laughing at the cartoon
I would think with how often people are urged to get their flu shot, that there would be a lot more available to the public. It makes me feel a little uneasy that there will be so many people who wot be able to get their flu vaccine because of a possible shortage, just like last year. Hopefully people will take heed, and go and get their flu shots at the local pharmacies or at their doctors office.
ReplyDeleteShots shots shots! I love that picture. This blog is very informative and a great heads up for me to take my flu shot. I actually never knew that there was a shortage for flu shots. I always assume that everyone gets a chance to get vaccinated. I guess I was wrong. Thank you for the information.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good blog because it attacks very simple questions that we as science/healthcare oriented students can easily answer. However, the general public would have to search for most of these questions and get mixed results from different sources. I also appreciate how you simplified a tense topic with pictures that gives it a sense of humor. Good job, but I hope in the future to know more about statistics of the population that really understands what are vaccines and how they work. Keep it up!
ReplyDelete