This flu season has reminded us of the importance of getting a flu vaccine. While we might be approaching the end of flu season, cases of flu are likely to persist until as late as May. Getting your flu shot, even now, is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.
Types Of Flu Vaccines
Any flu shot will offer you protection from the flu, but there are two specific types recommended by the CDC for the 2017-2018 flu season: a trivalent vaccine and a quadrivalent vaccine. Both will offer you adequate protection from the flu, so get whichever option is available.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
According to the CDC, those with medical conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and diabetes, those who are pregnant, and those 65 years or older have the highest risk of complications from the virus and should make getting an influenza vaccination a priority. Pregnant females can and should get the flu vaccine to protect themselves and their baby.
Children younger than 6 months and those with life-threatening allergies to ingredients in the vaccine should not receive a flu vaccine. Having an egg allergy does not mean you cannot get the flu vaccine. Your doctor should be able to administer the flu vaccine to you even if you have a history of an egg allergy.
Contrary to rumors, the flu vaccine does not cause influenza. You might experience mild side effects after receiving the vaccine, such as soreness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches. These side effects should resolve in a day or two. It takes about two weeks for your body to build up the antibodies from the flu vaccine, so it is still possible to contract the flu during this window of time. To reduce the likeness of this occurring, get your flu shot early in the flu season – ideally in October or earlier if available. Getting the vaccine late in flu season is still better than not getting it at all.
Benefits of the Flu Vaccine
1. It can decrease your risk of getting the flu.
2. If you do get the flu, it can reduce the risk of severe flu symptoms, flu-related medical complications, hospitalizations and deaths.
3. It can protect others around you who are at greatest risk for complications as a result of getting the flu: the elderly, children, and pregnant women.
4. Getting a flu vaccination also reduces the risk of the virus spreading among people around you.
If you come into contact with someone who has been proven to have influenza, you might fit the criteria to receive Oseltamivir (Tamiflu). It might help to decrease your chances of getting influenza after the exposure. Contact your healthcare provider for details.

Other Vaccinations
Like influenza, there are other diseases and illnesses that can be prevented by receiving a vaccination.
Some recommended vaccinations include the shingles vaccine for those 60 or older, the HPV vaccine for females 26 or younger and males 21 or younger, and the Pneumococcal vaccine for those 65 or older. Those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease or other high-risk groups should also get the pneumonia vaccine. Please see your doctor if you are unsure about your vaccination history.
Vaccines have been important in helping eradicate dangerous diseases such as polio and smallpox. Although a vaccination never guarantees 100 percent prevention, it’s your best option to stay healthy and protect yourself from disease.
Dr. Aishah Ali is a board-certified allergist and immunologist at UCF Health in Lake Nona. She helps patients live a better quality of life by diagnosing, treating and educating patients about their allergies.