Flu Vaccine in 2020: What Everyone Should Know

The fall season’s cold winds and stunning foliage also comes with a reminder for the upcoming flu season. The annual peak of the flu is just a month away, and a flu vaccine needs a couple of weeks before it could make you immune to seasonal viruses.

As we welcome November, let’s discuss how the flu vaccine works and its role in boosting your immunity during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Key facts about the flu vaccine

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about flu vaccines. As we become more health-conscious amid the pandemic, here are some facts that you should know about flu vaccines:

• A flu vaccine takes approximately two weeks before our body builds enough antibodies to fight seasonal viruses.
• Fever and muscle aches are normal responses of our immune system when introduced with foreign bodies from the flu vaccine. 
• You can still get sick after getting a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are cultured based on certain types of seasonal viruses and do not cover the new and unknown types of viruses like COVID. 
• Other factors that limit the ability of the flu vaccine to boost immunity depends on every individual. The level of immunity to the virus that the flu vaccine provides depends on:
  • Age
  • Medical condition(chronic illnesses)
  • Immune system
• Some flu vaccines are tested on eggs that make those allergic to it hesitant to take flu shots. However, extreme allergic reactions are rare in those who are allergic to eggs. If you have a severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis, get your flu shot from a medical practitioner that can handle your condition.
• There are different kinds of flu vaccines, namely:
  • Quadrivalent flu vaccines can protect you against H1N1, H3N2, and two influenza B viruses. It comes with a variety of age-appropriate flu shots:
    • Quadrivalent shots (6 months & up)
    • Cell-based shots/Flucelvax Quadrivalent (4 years old & up)
    • Recombinant shots/Flublok Quadrivalent (18 years old & up)
  • Trivalent flu vaccines provide immunity against H1N1, H3N2, and one influenza B virus. The varieties of vaccine below are for ages 65 and above:
    • High-dose shots/Fluzone high-dose Quadrivalent 
    • Adjuvanted flu vaccine

What to know about the current flu season

According to the CDC, both flu and COVID-19 viruses will be circulating in this year’s fall and winter. That’s why medical experts encourage everyone to get a flu shot as early as possible. Manufacturers prepared about 164-198 million doses of the flu vaccine to cover the 2020-2021 season.  

Flu vaccine benefits

Even though flu vaccines can’t provide 100% immunity to all kinds of viruses, it contributes to the decrease of flu-related diseases and deaths. Benefits of flu vaccines include: 

• Protects you and your family from both life-threatening and seasonal flu
• Prevents hospitalizations in children
• Helps boost the immunity of pregnant women and the baby inside their womb
• Keeps flu-related chronic diseases from getting worse and decreases the need for hospitalization
• Relieves severe flu symptoms from people who still got sick from another strain of the flu virus

Will the flu vaccine help with COVID-19?

Our current flu vaccines don’t provide immunity against COVID-19. However, it can help strengthen our immune system against seasonal flu that may increase our risk of getting infected with COVID and suffer severe complications. 

Get your family’s annual flu vaccine this November at the nearest Carolina Pharmacy in your area. You may also contact us to learn more about our vaccination program or visit our branches in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill. 

Protect your family now and allow the vaccine to be in full-effect right before the flu season comes.