What is "flu shots"?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to hospitalization and even death in severe cases. The flu virus is constantly evolving, which is why the flu shot (also known as the flu vaccine) is updated annually to provide protection against the most common strains of the virus.

Flu shots are vaccines that help protect against influenza viruses. They work by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies that can recognize and fight off the virus if the person is exposed to it. Flu shots are typically administered as an injection into the muscle of the arm, but there are also nasal spray flu vaccines available for those who prefer not to get a shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every year, with rare exceptions. This is because the flu virus can change from year to year, so last year's vaccine may not provide adequate protection against this year's strains. Getting a flu shot is especially important for certain groups of people who are at higher risk of complications from the flu, such as young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions.

There are several different types of flu vaccines available, including:

1. Trivalent flu vaccines: These vaccines protect against three different strains of the flu virus – two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain.

2. Quadrivalent flu vaccines: These vaccines protect against four different strains of the flu virus – two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains.

3. High-dose flu vaccines: These vaccines are specifically designed for people 65 years and older, as they provide a higher dose of antigen to help boost the immune response in older adults.

4. Adjuvanted flu vaccines: These vaccines contain an adjuvant, which is a substance that helps enhance the body's immune response to the vaccine.

5. Intradermal flu vaccines: These vaccines are injected into the skin instead of the muscle and use a smaller needle, which can be less painful for some people.

It's important to note that the flu shot does not contain live flu viruses, so it cannot give you the flu. However, some people may experience mild side effects after getting the flu shot, such as soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days.

In addition to protecting yourself from getting sick, getting a flu shot can also help protect others around you. This concept is known as "herd immunity," which refers to the idea that when a large percentage of a population is vaccinated against a contagious disease, it can help prevent the spread of the disease to those who are not vaccinated or who are at higher risk of complications.

Each year, the CDC works with public health officials and other experts to determine which flu viruses are most likely to be circulating during the upcoming flu season. Based on this information, they develop a flu vaccine that is tailored to provide protection against the most common strains of the virus. The flu vaccine is then distributed to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other locations where people can get vaccinated.

Despite the benefits of flu shots, there are still some misconceptions and myths surrounding the flu vaccine. One common myth is that the flu shot can give you the flu. As mentioned earlier, this is not true, as the flu shot does not contain live flu viruses. Another myth is that the flu shot is not effective, but research has shown that the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting sick by up to 60%.

In recent years, the flu shot has become even more important due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the flu and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses that can cause similar symptoms, such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Getting a flu shot can help reduce the burden on healthcare systems that are already stretched thin by the pandemic and can help prevent co-infections of the flu and COVID-19.

In conclusion, flu shots are an important tool in preventing the spread of the flu virus and protecting yourself and others from getting sick. The flu shot is safe, effective, and recommended for everyone six months and older, especially for those who are at higher risk of complications from the flu. By getting vaccinated annually, you can help reduce the spread of the flu virus and stay healthy during flu season.