Nobody wants the flu. At best, it can cause you to feel awful for a few days and leave you unable to participate in your daily activities. At worst, it can cause serious health consequences and even death.
The flu is often more serious for older adults, whose immune systems may be slower to respond or less efficient in responding to the virus that causes the flu.
You may not welcome the idea of getting a shot. Maybe you wonder why the flu shot is so important or are considering skipping it altogether this year and taking your chances.
At Hopscotch Primary Care, we believe in partnering with you to make the best choices for your health and wellness. We are here to answer your questions and provide you with the knowledge to make healthcare decisions.
That’s why we created this article to honor National Influenza Vaccination Week in December. We want seniors to be well informed about the flu shot, so you can decide with confidence if this immunization is right for you.
Ready to learn some vital facts about the flu and the flu vaccine? Let’s dive right in!
What is the flu and why is it more serious in seniors?
The history of influenza goes back hundreds of years. The term comes from Italian words, meaning “visitation” or “influence.”
The flu is caused by respiratory viruses that typically impact the nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads through direct or indirect contact with an infected person. This can occur through touch but also via contact with droplets in the air from a person with the flu.
The most common signs and symptoms of flu include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Intestinal discomfort
You may not have all these symptoms, but all are common signs of the flu. They can also be symptoms of other illnesses, like COVID-19, so it’s important to get a provider’s advice to make sure you’re receiving the right diagnosis and treatment.
For some, the flu can cause mild symptoms and discomfort for a few days. For others, the flu can be serious, leading to additional health complications, including death.
Older adults and those with medical conditions, such as CHF and COPD, are at increased risk for experiencing more serious complications from the flu.
Flu complications can include issues like sinus and ear infections. They can also include more serious conditions like pneumonia, leading to hospitalization.
Older adults are at higher risk for flu complications for a couple of reasons:
- Our immune system loses power as we age. This means it’s weaker in fighting off infections and viruses like those that cause the flu. When older adults get the flu, their immune system may expend all its energy fighting it off, leaving room for secondary infections to join the party.
- Older adults are more likely to have at least one chronic health condition they manage. Folks with medical conditions like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease are at higher risk for flu complications, as are those who’ve experienced a stroke.
During a typical flu season, more than 20,000 people die worldwide, while up to 500,000 require hospitalization. Recent estimates show most deaths and hospitalizations due to influenza occur in people who are 65 years of age and older.
Flu symptoms tend to come on quickly. If you think you may have the flu and have not yet been vaccinated (or your flu vaccine has not yet reached full effectiveness), it’s critical to contact your provider immediately to discuss your treatment options.
Speaking of treatment, at Hopscotch Primary Care, we are focused on prevention. We encourage seniors to seek out preventative healthcare whenever possible. That includes getting your yearly flu shot to help prevent the flu and its more serious complications.
Let’s learn about the flu shot and why this immunization is strongly recommended for seniors.
What is the flu shot?
Before a vaccine was developed to combat the flu, it claimed millions of lives. Less than a hundred years ago, the flu wreaked havoc in America, causing hospitals to be overwhelmed and many people to get very ill, very quickly.
Without any way to medically treat it or reduce its spread, people in the early 1900s resorted to social distancing and wearing cloth coverings over their faces to manage their risks.
Finally, in the mid-1940s a vaccine was developed to target the influenza virus. It was first made available to military members in 1945, before being offered to civilians in 1946.
Unfortunately, scientists soon learned the flu has many strains and their original vaccine didn’t protect against these new variants that were emerging.
In 1978, another flu vaccine breakthrough happened. This was the year they developed the first trivalent flu vaccine, which offered protection against three different variants of the flu virus.
Today, your flu vaccine protects against at least three different strains of influenza. Ongoing research and development continue to make flu vaccines even more protective and comprehensive!
But how does the flu shot work to protect you from the nastiest effects of the flu viruses?
The flu shot is a vaccine. Vaccines teach your immune system how to recognize and respond to a threat when they encounter it. The flu vaccine tells your immune system to produce antibodies, which help your system fight off any viruses that try to break through its protective barriers.
Because the viruses that cause the flu are varied and can change over time, the yearly flu shot is made to meet the public health needs of the moment.
Scientists analyze data to predict which flu virus strains will be prevalent during the coming flu season. Then, they develop a flu vaccine to target these predominant strains.
The flu evolves, so the flu shot must, as well. That’s why the shot is different every year.
If you’re interested in what flu vaccines are available this year, here’s some more info.
For folks aged 65 years and older, it’s also recommended you opt for a higher dosage shot when you get the flu vaccine.
This is because older adults may benefit from an increased dose of the flu vaccine to be maximally effective.
Next, let’s explore additional questions and concerns you may have about the flu vaccine.
When is the best time to get a flu shot?
The best time to get a flu shot is when flu season is upon us. In the United States, flu season lasts from October to May, and peaks between December and February.
For most individuals requiring a single dose of the flu vaccine, September and October are typically ideal months for vaccination. The goal is for everyone to be vaccinated by the end of October.
Here are some facts that fuel this guidance:
- The flu shot takes a couple of weeks to reach full effect after administration. So, if you get the shot in late October, it will reach full potency and protection in your system by mid-November. This is when flu cases often start to spike.
- The flu shot typically lasts for around 6 months. So, if you get vaccinated in late October, this means you’ll be protected through the end of April. This is typically when flu cases are much lower than they were during the winter months.
Of course, if you missed the October window, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get your flu shot! Especially if you’ll be traveling or spending time with loved ones over the holidays, it’s wise to protect yourself and them from getting the flu.
As the old saying goes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” If you’ve been waiting on your flu shot, there’s no time like the present to get that appointment on the books so you’ll be protected this flu season!
Will the flu shot make me sick?
While any vaccine has the potential for mild side effects, the flu shot is not generally known to cause an adverse reaction.
You may experience some slight tenderness at the injection site following your shot, but this tends to resolve quickly.
Side effects from the flu shot tend to be minimal, and they’re a sign your body is mobilizing to be able to recognize and fight off any flu virus it encounters.
Following your flu shot, you may experience:
- Redness at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Low-grade fever
- Indigestion
These effects typically resolve within a few days. If you experience other side effects, be sure to contact your provider to let them know.
If you need more info about the flu shot or other recommended immunizations for seniors—reach out! Your Hopscotch Primary Care team is always happy to offer you the guidance and support you need to make the best healthcare choices.
From preventive care like flu shots to medication management, and from chronic condition support to transitional care services—we’ve got your health and wellness needs covered, and then some!
Our comprehensive, customized primary care services are made for seniors like you. Give us a call, drop by your neighborhood clinic anytime, or reach out online. Hopscotch is here to make great care easy and stress-free. Let us know how we can help—we’re here for you!