Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2022 UCW 15 Answers to common questions about the flu vaccine a STAFF REPORT "Flu season" has become such a commonplace turn of phrase that it's easy to overlook just how big a threat the flu can pose. Estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that as many as 41 million illnesses and 52,000 deaths each year can be attributed to the flu. ere's no denying that the flu can be a formidable foe, even for those who recover from it within a few days of becoming ill. Flu vac- cines can make cases of the flu more manageable, making now a great time to answer some common ques- tions that arise every flu season. Why are flu vaccinations impor- tant? e CDC notes that annual flu vaccinations help to reduce the risk of getting the flu. But it's also worth noting that a flu shot helps to prevent more serious complica- tions for those people that do get it. Such complications can include ear infections, sinus infections, bacte- rial pneumonia, and the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes. How do flu vaccines work? Researchers work year-round to get an idea of which influenza viruses are likely to be most common in a given flu season. is is why flu vaccines change from year to year. Regardless of those changes, the CDC notes that all flu vaccines work in the same way, with each causing the development of antibodies in the body within a couple of weeks of vaccination. ese antibodies protect against the flu virus. Flu viruses are constantly chang- ing, so a vaccination that might have been effective one year will not necessarily provide significant protection in the following year. In addition, the protection provided by the flu vaccine wanes over time, so people won't necessarily be well fortified against the flu if they aren't vaccinated each year. Do flu vaccines take individuals into account? e CDC notes that, during the 2022-23 flu season, three flu vaccines are preferentially rec- ommended for people ages 65 and older. at recommendation was based on research suggesting the three vaccines are more effective for people in this age group than the standard dose flu vaccine. For the 2022-23 flu season, the CDC has no preferential recommendation for people under 65. Should everyone receive a flu shot? ough there are rare exceptions, the CDC urges all individuals age six months and older to get a flu shot every year. Vaccination can be espe- cially important for people consid- ered to be at elevated risk of serious complications should they develop the flu. is includes individuals over 65, people with chronic health conditions and children younger than two-years-old, among others. A more complete list of people who could be at high risk of flu compli- cations is available at cdc.gov/flu/ highrisk/index.htm. Am I pro- tected immediately after receiving a flu shot? e flu shot does not provide immediate protection. e CDC notes that it takes roughly two weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu vi- rus. is is one reason why it's wise to get a flu shot before flu season begins. Flu vaccines are a highly effective mode of protection against influ- enza viruses. More information is available at cdc.gov. HEALTH sweetvalleyranchnc.com (844) 622-3276 Hours: 6:30pm-10:00pm Fri & Sat Nov. 25 - 26/Dec. 2nd - 3rd Fri, Sat & Sun Dec. 9th - 11th Thurs - Sun Dec. 15th - 18th Wed - Fri Dec. 21st - 23rd Closed: Dec. 24th and 25th Last Day: Mon Dec. 26th 2 9 9 0 S u n n y s i d e S c h o o l R d F a y e t t e v i l l e , N C 2 8 3 1 2