Aside from the Coronavirus, people have also expressed concerns about being simultaneously affected by the seasonal influenza virus that occurs during the fall. To address the anxiety over the “twindemic”, health professionals have been emphasizing on the importance of getting flu shots especially during this time. For a typical flu season, doctors generally advice to get vaccinated by mid or late October because it takes one to two weeks for the immune system to develop a reasonable level of protection. This protection lasts for six months on average. But since 2020 is not a typical year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, health experts say they can get the shot earlier than October to reduce the probability of getting infected by the flu.
Forbes: So, does this mean that you should wait until mid-to-late October? Not necessarily.
When is the best time to get a flu shot? Forbes Senior Contributor Bruce Y. Lee says that unless you have a medical reason not to get the flu shot, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated against influenza each and every year. Medical reasons include being younger than six months of age or having a severe, life-threatening allergy to the vaccine. Typically, the seasonal flu virus is not as deadly as the Covid-19 coronavirus or a novel strain of the influenza virus. Nevertheless, it can cause serious harm and even kill, especially if you’ve got a weaker immune system.
Lee further says that in a typical flu season, the common advice is to get the flu shot sometime in mid-to-late-October. That’s because after you get the flu shot, it takes about one to two weeks for your immune system to mount enough of a response for you to have some protection. Then once you have a reasonable level of protection, this protection tends to last on average for six months.
So, does this mean that you should wait until mid-to-late October? Not necessarily since 2020 is not your typical year.
He also states that even though the flu is not the same thing as Covid-19, some of their earlier symptoms may be similar. Getting vaccinated against the flu could at least reduce the probability that you have the flu. Catching the flu could make you more susceptible to Covid-19 and vice-versa. Infection from one virus could tax your immune system, making it easier for other invaders to enter and cause more havoc.
CBS Pittsburgh: There are two new flu vaccines designed to protect older people this year.
CBS Pittsburgh reports that flu vaccine manufacturers have ramped up production this year. They’re making tens of millions of more doses than they did last flu season.
There are two new flu vaccines designed to protect older people this year.
