Where can I get a flu shot? Health Services is offering flu vaccine clinics during the months of October and November on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. After November, flu shots will be available at Health Services by appointment. Schedule your appt at clinic.lbl.gov “my appointments” and “schedule flu vaccine appointment”
This year’s flu vaccine offered by Health Services is Fluad (65+) and Afluria (<65 y.o).
Why get the flu shot? The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against the flu.
Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.
- The flu vaccine can help keep you from getting sick with the flu
- It can reduce the severity of illness if you do get the flu
- It can reduce the risk of flu related hospitalization
- It is an important preventative tool for people with certain chronic conditions or pregnancy
- It helps to protect the people around you
Who should get vaccinated? Recommended annually for ages 6 months and older.
How Effective Is the Seasonal Flu Shot?
Influenza vaccine effectiveness can vary. The protection provided by a flu vaccine varies from season to season and depends in part on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine and the similarity or “match” between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation. During years when the flu vaccine match is good, it is possible to measure substantial benefits from flu vaccination in terms of preventing flu illness and complications. However, the benefits of flu vaccination will still vary, depending on characteristics of the person being vaccinated (for example, their health and age), what flu viruses are circulating that season and, potentially, which type of flu vaccine was used.
Why do I feel sick after getting a flu shot?
The flu vaccine can cause certain side effects: soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Some people may feel like they have flu symptoms after the flu shot. Someone can get sick with another respiratory virus besides flu such as rhinoviruses or SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Other respiratory viruses can cause symptoms similar to flu, and they can also spread and cause illness during flu season. Flu vaccines only protect against flu, not other illnesses. Someone can be exposed to flu viruses shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This exposure may result in a person becoming sick with flu before protection from vaccination takes effect.There are many different flu viruses that spread and cause illness among people, so this can happen if someone is exposed to a flu virus that is very different from the viruses in the flu vaccine.
References: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/flushot.htm
