By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – The fall and winter months are rapidly approaching and local health experts are discussing flu vaccines.
As the weather turns from the warmth of summer to the chill of fall it is time to discuss the coming flu season. Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Pharmacist Larry Hall says that it’s always important to get the flu vaccine but even more so in 2020 as the world deals with another respirator virus. He also addresses some concerns that he hears about the flu vaccine.
He recognizes that this year is a little different because the medical community is focusing highly on COVID-19. Hall says it is “really important not to over look the flu” however. Each year in the U.S. influenza related illness kills about one in 100,000 people. He says that might not sound like a lot but it translates to around 35,000 to 60,000 deaths.
One thing the pharmacist hears a lot about is that the vaccine is not entirely effective in preventing the flu. “And it’s true” he says “the flu vaccine is not 100% effective.” However experts are making it better each year. Hall says that the last time the vaccine did not “match up very well” it was still about 40% effective. While that might now seems like much but preventing 40% of hospitalizations and death’s “isn’t terrible.” Hall says it equates to 10s of thousands of deaths save. The pharmacist also says that even if the vaccine isn’t a “perfect match” for the virus it still can prevent severe illness.
Hall says there are some side effects to getting the flu vaccine including a sore arm or possible mild fever in kids getting their first flu vaccine. One symptom he hears about constantly is call Guillain-Barre (GBS) syndrome. He says it is important to note that GBS was only associated with the 1976 swine flu vaccine. The pharmacist says there is “zero correlation” between the syndrome and the flu vaccine since. GBS still occurs in about one or two cases per a million people in the US so it’s really a “non-worry.”
When getting a flu vaccine the pharmacist says there is a low dose and a high dose and he recommends the most vulnerable get the high dose. “If you’re older or immune compromised your body simply doesn’t create as many antibodies to the flu vaccine.” Getting the high dose your body stimulates a “stronger response” and creates more antibodies. The vaccine should also last all flu season.
The professionals at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital hope that everyone remains safe this flu season.