Winter is just around the corner and, as the climate gets colder, the flu begins to rear its ugly head. That’s right, influenza season is coming, and with it, a disease that kills thousands of people every year. Luckily, organizations like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are always on top of reporting the facts and statistics about the disease, as well as furthering the research on methods to prevent influenza-related deaths all year round.

In anticipation for this year’s influenza season, the CDC has released a statement regarding the current state of vaccination, as well as relevant information about these vaccines. Specifically, there are several different things about this year’s vaccination process, which we’ll address shortly. But first, let’s go over a few vaccination facts and knowledge.

When should I get vaccinated?

As many of our readers may know, vaccines are dormant viruses specially-engineered to be injected into the body to help the immune system develop antibodies against them, and to prevent the onset of the real disease in the future. However, unlike the vaccines we get when we’re younger, which protect us from deadly diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B and polio, the flu vaccine is not definitive, nor is it permanent. This is because the flu virus is continuously changing and evolving. So, even after suffering from it many times, we can still contract the disease.

Nevertheless, doctors and researchers work around the clock to isolate the predominant flu strains in anticipation of flu season every year, in hopes of preventing flu-related complications and deaths. In this sense, if you’re looking to get vaccinated this season, you should do so soon, before the disease begins spreading throughout your community. Remember that vaccines are preventive medicine, and thus do no good if you’re already infected.

For those looking to get vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting immunized before the end of October, or beginning of November, since our body will take about two weeks to develop antibodies against the diseases they’re supposed to protect against. However, those who require two doses must begin the process sooner, as they must wait at least four weeks between vaccinations.

What’s new this season?

As flu strains evolve, so do our tools designed to prevent the onset of the disease. For this reason, there are several things different about this year’s flu vaccines:

• First and foremost, the available vaccines are modified to protect against the predominant strains of flu, including the widespread H3N2, which is predicted to spread this season.
• For those who are not able to get vaccinated through traditional means, the nasal spray flu vaccine is now a viable alternative. This method of administration is recommended for individuals aged 2 through 49.
• Instead of the trivalent vaccine, which was a popular disease prevention tool in past occasions, this year the suggested alternative, and the one that’ll be made available in most health centers, is the quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against most circulating flu viruses so far.
• As restrictions lift, some types of vaccines are made available to individuals from a younger age. In this sense, the age recommendation for Fluarix Quadrivalent was changed from 3 years and older, to 6 months and older. Similarly, the age recommendation for Afluria Quadrivalent was changed from 18 years and older to 5 years and older.
• Baloxavir marboxil is a single-dose antiviral influenza drug that is approved for use by individuals aged 12 and older, who have been suffering from acute, uncomplicated flu symptoms for less than 48 hours.

Precautions

While most vaccines are cell-based this time around, there are still several egg-based alternatives available. Those who are allergic to eggs must communicate this to the nurse or doctor before receiving their vaccine to gauge their eligibility.

For those who are allergic to eggs, the CDC recommends the following:

• Those who only experience hives after exposure to eggs can take any licensed egg-based vaccines without any issues.
• Those who experience symptoms other than hives, such as respiratory distress, angioedema, lightheadedness, or that have required an epinephrine shot or other emergency treatments after being exposed to eggs, may also receive any licensed flu vaccines. However, they must obtain their immunization in a hospital setting where a doctor can monitor their condition closely and is available to lend aid and manage any complications that arise. Some of these settings also include a physician’s private practice or a public health department.

While the authorities and research community cannot actively predict flu activities each year, they can gauge the proliferation of specific strains and take measures to prevent their dissemination. Nevertheless, it always comes down to the community to properly block the spread of any contagious diseases, including influenza. In this sense, it’s imperative that the absolute most people receive their vaccinations and help raise awareness about the disease that claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year.