Haven’t gotten your 2023 flu shot? Here’s why you should

Influenza (flu) season is officially in full swing. While flu activity dwindled during the pandemic, it returned to pre-pandemic levels last year, and experts predict the same for 2023-24.

If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, it’s not too late. Flu season often peaks in December, but you can get the virus whenever it’s circulating — last year, it was still circulating through April.

Why you should get the flu shot

Flu is the second-highest cause of death by a vaccine-preventable virus in the United States — the first is COVID-19. Experts considered the 2022-23 flu season moderately severe and estimate that in the United States, the flu caused:

• 31 million symptomatic illnesses
• 14 million medical visits
• 360,000 hospitalizations
• 21,000 deaths

But the flu shot doesn’t just protect you from influenza. It also reduces the likelihood of developing flu-related complications and illnesses, such as:

• Ear infections
• Pneumonia
• Sinus infections

Who should get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that almost everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. Your doctor may only recommend against it if the vaccine poses a health risk, which is rare.

Influenza rates are the highest among children — people younger than 18 are twice as likely to get the flu as adults over 65. And the rates of hospitalization, complications and deaths are higher among certain groups, including:

• Anyone with chronic medical conditions, which can be made worse by the flu
• Children under 5, because their immune systems have not fully developed
• People 65 and older who may have declining immune systems
• Pregnant people, because the flu is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss and lower birthweight 

Those who should NOT get the flu vaccine include:

• Children younger than 6 months
• People with severe allergies to typical vaccine ingredients other than egg, such as gelatin and antibiotics

Talk to your healthcare provider before your flu shot if you had an allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine, have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or are feeling sick.

What’s new with the 2023 flu vaccine?

Beginning this year, flu vaccine safety measures for people with an egg allergy are no longer necessary or recommended. Anyone with an egg allergy or previous reaction to an egg-based vaccine can get any vaccine appropriate for their age and health — even egg-based flu vaccines. Whether you have an egg allergy or not, you should receive your vaccine in a setting where an allergic reaction can be recognized and treated.

How to protect against the flu (even after getting the vaccine)

Research shows that flu vaccination reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40% to 60%. But if the vaccine isn’t successful or a different strain of flu is circulating, you may still get sick.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to avoid the flu. But to protect your family and yourself after vaccination, take these steps:

• Avoid people who are sick: Keep your distance from symptomatic people — anyone coughing, sneezing or congested. Wear a mask if you’ll be in close quarters with someone with any virus.
• Try not to spread germs: The easiest way to spread germs to yourself or others is with your hands. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after touching a germy surface is a surefire way to transfer an infection. Avoid touching your face whenever possible and wash your hands often.
• Stay away from others after any exposure to the flu: You can be contagious a day before you show signs of having the flu — and remember that not everyone gets a fever with the flu. Symptoms tend to occur within two days of exposure, but it can take up to four days for some people.

Flu-proof your health
Get your flu shot today. Schedule an appointment through your MyChart patient portal, or call your doctor’s office directly.

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