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Q: I was recently told that the this seasons regular flu vaccine (not the swine flu vaccine) will last longer into the flu season - 12 months - and should be given now. Is this true? Does this season's regular flu shot last longer then the usual 3 or 4 months?
A: From what I have been able to find it does not appear that this year's seasonal flu vaccine is any stronger than flu vaccines of year's past. We do continue to have some amount of immunity throughout the year after getting the shot.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available which is usually sometime during September or October. The CDC maintains that even if you get the vaccine in September or October you will remain protected throughout the flu season. Typically flu season peaks around January or February.
According to the CDC's website, "Flu vaccineation provides protection against influenza strains contained in the vaccine that will last for the whole season. Vaccination can beginn as soon as vaccine is available."
I did find out that there are some variables that come into play regarding the level of protection you receive from the vaccine no matter when you get it.
CDC says protection depends on :
*Age and health of person getting vaccinated
*Similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those being spread in the community
One last point to keep in mind is that the vaccine is not a guarantee of 100% protection from getting the flu, but it significantly helps your odds.
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