Vaccines against the influenza that will circulate during the 2023-2024 season in the United States are currently available. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) strongly advises that anyone aged 6 months and older get vaccinated against influenza each and every year, with extremely limited exceptions. According to the CDC, individuals who are above the age of 65, under the age of 2, pregnant, or have given birth within the past few weeks should prioritize being vaccinated against the flu.
More details below.
When Is the Appropriate Time to Get a Flu Shot?
In a normal flu season, the number of cases begins to rise before the end of October and reaches its peak between the months of December and February. Therefore, the most common time for people to get a flu vaccination is in September or October, just before the virus begins to spread extensively. Talk to your physician to obtain all of the required information and to schedule an appointment.
Types of Flu Shots Are Available
First things first, you need to be aware that every influenza vaccination protects against four different subtypes of the influenza virus: A(H1N1), A(H3N2), an influenza B virus that is descended from the Victoria lineage, and an influenza B virus that is descended from the Yamagata lineage. This flu season, there are nine distinctive influenza vaccinations available. Have a look at them all down below:
- Standard-dose, inactivated flu shots (6 months and older)
- High-dose and adjuvanted flu shots (65 and older)
- Recombinant flu shots (18 and older; 65 years and older)
- Nasal spray (2 to 49; not for pregnant women, people with different conditions, or weak immune systems)
Let’s find out more about these kinds of flu shots, shall we?
1. The standard dose, inactivated flu shots
It is composed of influenza viruses that have been “killed” so that they are unable to infect cells after being exposed to this substance.
2. Recombinant flu shots
These flu shots are produced by a process known as “recombinant technology,” which includes the utilization of flu virus genetic material in order to produce a protein known as hemagglutinin (HA), which is located on the surface of the virus.
3. High-dose and adjuvanted flu shots
The standard-dose vaccinations are not as effective in protecting persons over the age of 60 as the higher-dose vaccines that have an additional component that stimulates the immune system, and that is thus strongly recommended for adults over the age of 60.
4. Nasal spray
It is a live attenuated vaccine, which means that it includes weakened flu viruses that are unable to spread illness but weren’t “killed,” like the viruses that are contained in inactivated doses.
What are your feelings on getting vaccinated against the flu? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
