Does the Flu Shot Last Only a Few Months? And 7 Other Flu Shot Questions You Have
In case your summer hasn’t revolved around the word “vaccine” enough, here’s a reminder that we do have a flu vaccine and it’s more important than ever to get one now while the world continues waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine.
And why is getting a flu shot so, so crucial this year? The reason is twofold. Selfishly, it’s good to have a flu shot so you don’t get the flu but also so that if you develop COVID-19-like symptoms, you (and your doctor) can determine whether it’s COVID-19 quicker, since many of the symptoms overlap.
Secondly, getting your flu shot can help curb a “twindemic” of both the flu and COVID-19. This whole nine-month experience has been a great exercise in ~doing your part for the greater good~, and here’s a chance to continue being a good citizen and do your part to boost herd immunity!
Of course, whether you’re a yearly flu shot kinda person or someone who has just historically never gotten around to it, you’re likely to have some questions about it. We spoke to a buncha doctors to get the real scoop on commonly asked flu shot questions. (And no, no matter how many people anecdotally *swear* the flu shot gives them the flu, it doesn’t!)
1. Does the flu shot last only a few months?
“Unfortunately, yes,” says Monjur Alam, MD, a primary care physician at UC San Diego. The virus changes every year, so you need to get a new shot every year. The immune response from the vaccine also typically lasts about six to eight months and then weans off, Dr. Alam says. So basically, one flu shot should cover you for that flu season.
2. When is the best time to get a flu shot?
“Although flu season can continue into spring, the optimal time to get vaccinated is in September or October before the peak flu season to protect those around you,” says Caesar Djavaherian, MD, of Carbon Health.
It takes around two weeks to develop a sufficient immune response from the flu vaccine, meaning all healthy people should get the flu shot as soon as possible, Dr. Alam says. Getting the actual shot in mid-September (meaning now) means it doesn’t really kick in and protect you until late September or early October, so don’t put it off thinking you’re going to get more ~juice~ out of waiting at this stage in the game.
3. Is it true you can get the flu shot *too* early?
Yes. July or August is probably too early. For all you overachievers who wanna book flu shots in summer, you should know that getting a flu shot in those months means you might not have a lasting immune response for adequate protection during peak (i.e., January to February) flu season, as Dr. Alam explains.
4. Is there any chance there will be a flu shot shortage this year?
Given COVID-19 and how important it is to make sure everyone is up to date on flu shots this year, health officials have been anticipating an increase in flu shots and preparing and manufacturing more to meet this standard, says Jabraan Pasha, MD.
That said, please don’t wait until, like, January 31 to start thinking about getting a flu shot. Not only is it kinda selfish, but there are no guarantees you’ll still be able to get one. “We hope [the increased vaccine manufacturing this year] will meet the increased demand we are expecting,” says Dr. Pasha, adding, “However, getting your vaccine early might be more important this year than previous years.”
Also, bear in mind, herd immunity applies to flu shots as well, says Dr. Alam. The more people who are vaccinated, the more people who are not vaccinated are protected, in the case of a potential (but unlikely) shortage. It’s better that everyone gets flu shots now. You’re not doing anyone a favor if you wait until the last second.
5. Why is it more important than ever to get a flu shot this year?
Couple of reasons, and you guessed it, they’ve all gotta do with COVID-19: “For one, we do not yet know if co-infection, with flu and COVID-19, is something we should be concerned about or how severe that could be,” says Dr. Pasha. It’s also tricky because as Dr. Pasha says, “the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are essentially indistinguishable.” He adds, “If we can prevent flu infections, we can prevent people from having to seek testing and medical care for potential COVID-19. This will help with the strain on the health care system that may be seen with a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases this fall and winter.”
6. Why do some people *swear* the flu shot gives them the flu?
As a germaphobe and (unofficial) president of the flu shot fan club myself, I hear this every year and it makes me so upset because it’s simply not true! “This is the top myth I hear about the vaccination over and over from those who have apprehension about receiving the flu shot,” says Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS.
For starters, the flu shot doesn’t contain live virus—just dead virus, meaning it “simply cannot spread the actual influenza virus,” Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe explains. Also, remember the two-week rule. Since antibodies don’t develop until around two weeks from getting the shot, “there is a possibility that some of those who ‘swear’ they became sick from the shot perhaps were already exposed to the influenza virus before developing any antibodies,” Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe adds.
While they do warn you when you get your flu shot that it may cause slight muscle aches and mild fever after vaccination, this is not the flu, and it happens in less than 1 percent of those who get the shot, according to Ugo Iroku, MD. Any mild discomfort from the shot should also resolve in a day or two, says Dr. Pasha.
Second, the flu shot does not protect you from all strains of the flu, so you could still get sick from a strain that wasn’t covered in your flu shot. In any given year, the flu vaccine protects against 30 to 50 percent of the influenza virus strains circulating during the season in question, says Dr. Alam. Basically, getting a flu shot shouldn’t be considered a free pass to go around licking grocery store carts. You still need to practice basic handwashing and etiquette (don’t sneeze on strangers, pls, yucky).
Third, research suggests that if you do get another strain of flu, despite getting a flu shot, it’s likely to be less severe. “The illness is shorter and milder than when unvaccinated people get the flu,” says Dr. Pasha. In fact, a 2018 study by the CDC showed that getting the flu shot reduced the risk of being admitted to the ICU for flu by 82 percent. That’s huge!
7. Is the nasal spray flu vaccine effective?
So, historically speaking, the flu shot has been more effective in some flu seasons than the nasal spray version (especially when it came to preventing sickness from influenza A H1N1 strain), says Dr. Iroku. Don’t worry though: In cases when the nasal spray was less effective, those sprays are then recalled from the market, per CDC recommendation, Dr. Pasha explains.
“However, these vaccines are repeatedly revised and reassessed by the CDC. And for this flu season, both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics endorse the flu shot and nasal spray vaccine,” adds Dr. Iroku. However, he says, “the nasal spray is still not recommended for all individuals and should not be used in adults 50 years or older, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, and some other demographics.”
Bottom line: Your doctor will know which is best for you.
8. How can I get a flu shot if I don’t have insurance?
Many city or county health departments offer no- or low-cost flu vaccines, says Dr. Iroku. Look into your local clinics, local health department, and call up some offices/pharmacies and ask. Health officials want you to get a flu shot, and many offices will even give you the shot heavily discounted to ensure it’s available for those without insurance.
There’s also no shame in googling flu shot coupons (I’ve done this!). GoodRx, a coupon site for prescription meds, even has this handy chart of estimated costs of flu shots at popular pharmacies if you don’t have insurance. It has one column for the price with its coupons and one without.
Even without its coupons, the cost is VERY doable, given how important it is to get a flu shot this year. Don’t be scared or let the cost or imagined hassle of getting an insurance-less flu shot stand in the way of getting one: Prices range from $20 to around $40 for a flu shot.
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