A flu shot can protect you against symptoms of the flu for more than six months. It is common for urgent care health professionals to start vaccinating in October. This is often the start of flu season. If you want to know how often you should get your flu shot, here are the details.
Flu cases often start to increase in October, but the peak is from December to February. People could still get the flu in May. Flu season often varies year after year. Studies show that the most optimal time to get a flu shot is at the end of October. Of course, an individual could choose to have the vaccine at any time. September could be the earliest and January could be the latest time to get the flu vaccine.
Consulting an urgent care physician can determine when an individual should get a flu vaccine. Getting it too early may cause a lack of protection by the time the peak months of the flu season arrive. This could be disastrous for those with compromised immune systems. People with underlying medical conditions could also suffer.
It will take two weeks before the flu shot starts working. The vaccine will trigger a reaction in the immune system. The white blood cells will spot the strain of the flu virus. Then, the production of antibodies will begin.
The antibodies will be present in the body for about six months. They will break down over time. The B lymphocytes in the blood can then produce the antibodies faster. This will happen once the flu virus invades the body.
A flu shot’s effectiveness depends on different factors. Viruses tend to mutate. The vaccine’s antibodies may not recognize the mutated flu virus anymore. The date of the shot could also influence its effectiveness. The vaccine’s antibodies will start to degrade after six months.
A person’s age may also influence the effectiveness of the vaccine. A person who has underdeveloped or weakened immunity can affect the vaccine’s potency. People over 65 years old will need to be extra careful even after the flu shot. An aged individual with an underlying medical issue will also need more immune system strengthening.
Getting a flu shot could come with some minor side effects. Low-grade fever, mild muscle aches, nausea, and headaches are some of these side effects. These can go away after one to two days. The vaccine itself cannot make a person sick. It only aims to trigger an immune response. The vaccine only has part of the viral genetic material or the inactive form of the virus.
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The most effective time for a flu vaccine is from September to October. Knowing how long each dose lasts can help you time your next flu shot the following year. The mentioned months will be ideal markers for your next vaccination at your nearest urgent care facility. Taking vitamins and making healthy choices can help support the actions of the flu vaccine.
Request an appointment or call Millennium Medical Care Reston at 703-440-7000 for an appointment in our Reston office.
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