The influenza season has begun, and this respiratory virus infects millions of people annually, and it is important to take measures to prevent infection with it, as influenza vaccines are made annually to prevent the most common strains of influenza at that time, and according to experts, the best way to reduce the possibility of contracting influenza is to receive the vaccine. However, many people do not know how vaccines work, how long they last, and when is the best time to get them? This is what we learn about in this report, according to the “Times Now” website.
How do flu vaccines work?
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Work on a seasonal influenza vaccine begins every year well before the season begins, and experts and virologists spend a lot of time conducting extensive research and studies to determine which strains will be most common during the upcoming season.
These vaccines mostly work against two types of influenza viruses: influenza A and influenza B.
They are also either trivalent or quadrivalent, with the latter working against four viruses and the former against three.
How does the flu vaccine work inside your body?
After receiving the flu vaccine, doctors say it takes about two weeks for your body to produce antibodies that provide protection. During this time, it is still possible to get the flu, so you should be very careful with the following:
-Practice good hygiene
-Do not touch your nose or mouth whenever possible
-Avoid going out in gatherings
How long does the flu vaccine last?
According to experts, your immunity to influenza declines over time, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or have had an influenza infection. This happens because influenza viruses are constantly changing, and the previous season’s vaccine may not provide you with sufficient protection.
However, receiving the seasonal flu vaccine can protect you throughout the current flu season. You’ll need to receive the seasonal flu vaccine annually to get the best protection against flu viruses.
When should you take the flu vaccine?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors offer vaccines to the public by September or October, and although immunity begins to decline slightly over time, studies suggest that flu vaccines protect against the flu virus throughout the season.
Additionally, there may be some side effects of the vaccine that you may get, some of which are very mild, including:
Pain and redness at the injection site
Low grade fever
General pain
Also, if you receive your vaccine late in the season, there is no need to worry. Doctors say that late vaccination provides sufficient protection, because influenza spreads until the end of March.
Who can get the flu vaccine?
Anyone over the age of six months should receive a flu vaccine annually; It is important that no one avoids it. This includes the following categories:
Those over the age of fifty
If you suffer from a chronic health condition
If you have a weak immune system
Children from 6 months to 5 years old
Pregnant women
Those who suffer from obesity
Health care workers
Doctors recommend that children under six months of age not receive the influenza vaccine. To protect these children from possible exposure to the virus, all family members and caregivers should be vaccinated to create herd immunity, which can protect those who cannot get the vaccine.
