As flu season approaches, health experts are urging the public to get vaccinated. While the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can change from year to year, studies indicate that receiving the shot can reduce the risk of illness by 40 to 60 percent.
“By and large the biggest thing you can do to protect yourself from either A, getting the flu or B, having serious complications from the flu would be to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Ryan Moody, pulmonologist with SouthEast Lung Associates.
Influenza is a seasonal respiratory virus that targets cells lining the airways in the lungs. Common symptoms include cough, mucus production, shortness of breath, fever, and fatigue.
“The flu can be very serious. Annualized rates of mortality in the United States for the past 10 to 15 years range from 12,000 to around 60,000 deaths per year from the flu,” Dr. Moody said. “That does not include deaths due to complications from the flu such as additional bacteria pneumonia as well as cardiovascular events such as heart attacks.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu vaccination in October. This is particularly important for people with chronic health conditions—such as lung disease, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, kidney or liver disease—or those over age 65 because they face higher risks of severe complications. However, young and healthy adults are also encouraged to get vaccinated each year since it remains the primary method of protection against influenza.
“The biggest, most preventative means of not spreading the flu is to get the flu vaccine,” Dr. Moody said. “Other measures would be frequent hand washing, and if you are sick or do feel sick, especially if you start to have symptoms such as shortness of breath, definitely you want to contact your healthcare provider.”
Flu shots are widely available at local pharmacies, doctors’ offices and public health departments. Many insurance plans cover them at no cost or a low fee.
Now is considered an optimal time for individuals to receive their annual flu shot.
