Hey ladies, it’s flu season! Protect yourself by getting your flu shot. First, however, you should know your facts. As a pharmacy intern, I am asked all kinds of questions about the flu vaccine. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Why should I get the flu shot?
Every student has fears of getting the flu and feeling so tired and achy they miss an entire week of school. The best way to avoid this is by getting your flu shot! It helps protect you against the influenza virus, a highly contagious infection that is spread through the air and contact with people who are infected. The flu has similar symptoms to the common cold: cough, runny nose and chills. The flu symptoms are much more intense and include fever, body aches and fatigue.
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
Today! Now is the perfect time to get your flu shot. You can get the vaccine anytime during the flu season, which started in September and lasts until January. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to build its antibodies and become effective, so the sooner you get the shot the better.
Does it hurt?
Many people ask this question! The intramuscular (IM) shot, which is the most common, has a longer needle, which is usually what scares people. Intramuscular means the vaccine is injected into your muscle. It hurts only for a moment and feels like a slight pinch. There is an intradermal (ID) shot, which means the vaccine is injected just below your skin. Its needle is 90 percent smaller than that of the intramuscular. Although it has a smaller needle, it has a greater chance of injection site reactions, such as redness, soreness, and swelling at the site of injection. If you can’t handle needles, the nasal spray vaccine is for you! It is given just like a normal nasal spray. It differs from the shots in that it is a weakened live vaccine while the shots are made from inactivated (killed) flu virus.
Who shouldn’t get it?
You shouldn’t get the flu shot if you have an allergy to eggs, have had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past, have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (a nervous system disorder) or if you are moderately ill. For example, my roommate wanted to get the nasal spray vaccine last week, but she got a cold and now has to wait until she’s feels better.
Where can I get the flu shot and how much will it cost?
The flu shot is available at most pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and student health centers. It is easy to find locations online by searching for “flu vaccine location.” There are all kinds of places to get them in Lawrence: pharmacies such as Target and Walgreens, on campus locations like Watkins Health Center and at Anschutz on Oct. 10. Everyone giving the vaccine has been trained and certified to give them. The biggest difference between locations is the price of the flu shot. The flu shot can be run through your insurance to see how much they will cover. In pharmacies, prices vary from $20 to $35. Doctor’s offices may be pricier but are usually covered by insurance. Student health centers provide students with a lower price from $15 to $20 and are available in various locations around campus.
Can I still get the flu even though I’ve had the flu shot?
You are not able to get the flu from the vaccine, but you might have some side effects such as body aches and a slight fever, these will go away in a few days. Also, the flu vaccine does not protect you from the common cold.
Why do I need to get it every year?
The flu vaccine covers the main strains of flu. Basically, the flu comes in many strains — there is more than one flu virus. Each year, the flu shot protects you from the ones that are most popular that season. You have to get a shot every year because the strains change. Your shot last year only protects you from last year’s most popular strains, not this year’s.
What should I do if I get the flu?
Other than getting the flu vaccine the best way to prevent getting sick is good hand hygiene and covering your mouth when you cough. If you suspect you have the flu, stay home to prevent it from spreading, drink plenty of fluids and get rest! Taking any antibiotics will not help you since the flu is a virus and not a bacterial infection. If you suspect the flu within 48 hours of start of symptoms you can get a prescription for an antiviral, such as Tamiflu, that can help shorten and decrease symptoms.
Keep yourself protected and informed, collegiettes! Have a safe and healthy flu season!
For further information on flu vaccines you can go to these reputable websites:
http://www.studenthealth.ku.edu/header/flu_vaccine.shtml
http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/vaccination/index.html#