Flu facts you should know

Signs for flu vaccine clinics are up all over our area.  The season of sickness technically started in October and runs through May.

Kroger Pharmacist Tia Daniels says, “We’ve given out almost a thousand at this store since the last week of September.“

One of the major myths is that the flu vaccine will give you the flu.

Daniels says, “Now it is made from a dead virus, so there is no way you can get the flu from the flu shot.“

Here are four flu Questions with answers that may surprise you.

1. If you’ve been sick do you need to wait to get the flu vaccine?

Dr. Stephanie Harper with the Roanoke City Health Department says, “If the illness has been mild then you do not need to wait to get a flu vaccine.  If the illness was severe then talk to your doctor first.“

2.  Once you get the vaccine, how long before you have full protection? 

It takes two weeks to develop full immunity.  That protection then lasts for up to one year.

3. What are the symptoms of a flu vaccine allergic reaction?

A true allergic reaction would involve trouble swallowing, shortness of breath and itching.  Those symptoms would be obvious within minutes or hours of getting the vaccine.

Dr. Harper says,” A severe allergic reaction like that is very rare.“

4.  Will we be more protected by this year’s vaccine than last year’s?

Right now it is too soon to tell if this vaccine will protect us from the most common strain going around.

Dr. Harper says,” We will have a better idea sometime during flu season.“
. But until we know for sure, doctors and pharmacists say go ahead and get the vaccine.  They say, with so many germs lurking on cart handles and key pads it can only help keep you well.

Link to more flu information from the Virginia Department of Health

Link to more flu information from the Centers for Disease Control