Summer is almost over and health officials are making plans for flu season. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released annual flu vaccination recommendations for health professionals ahead of flu season.
These re-emphasize the importance of influenza vaccination. Preliminary estimates suggest that people who received the flu vaccine last season were about 40% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized for the flu and related complications, according to the CDC.
Officials claim that the effectiveness of influenza vaccines depends in part on the matching of the vaccine virus with the circulating virus.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s recommendations.
What’s different about this year’s flu vaccine for people with egg allergies?
This year’s recommendations are good news for those with egg allergies.
Flu vaccines are typically made using an egg-based manufacturing process and contain small amounts of egg protein, according to the CDC.
Previously, it was recommended that people with egg-related allergies receive the vaccine under the supervision of a healthcare provider who “can recognize and manage severe allergic reactions when using egg-based vaccines.” .
According to the report, this is no longer necessary.
“Egg allergy alone does not require additional safety measures for influenza vaccination beyond those recommended for vaccinees, regardless of the severity of previous reactions to eggs,” the report states.
Who Should Get the Influenza Vaccine?
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 and older get the flu vaccine annually unless they have specific symptoms or conditions.
People who should consult a health care professional about the flu vaccine include those who may have a weakened immune system, those who have a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccine components, and those who have been diagnosed with asthma. Children up to 4 years old or pregnant women.
When should I receive the vaccine?
September and October are still the best months to get the flu vaccine for most people, according to the CDC.
Getting a flu shot in July or August is not recommended for most people.
The report goes on to say that “influenza activity may not occur until February, March or later in certain regions,” so vaccination should continue throughout the flu season beyond October. It is suggested that The CDC also recommends vaccination “as long as the flu virus remains a threat.”
The start, peak and decline of each flu season are unpredictable and the ideal time to start vaccination may change, according to the report.
Can I get multiple vaccines at the same time?
There are multiple vaccines that can protect against respiratory viruses such as influenza, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Both the RSV vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are relatively new.
Experts say it’s safe to get the flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the same time. In the last two flu seasons, he was often given the two at the same time.
In May, the Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first RSV vaccine to protect adults over the age of 60 from the worst consequences of RSV, a common respiratory virus that infects the respiratory tract, including the lungs, nose and throat.
Because it is so new, information about co-administering the new RSV vaccine with other vaccines, such as influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, is limited and evolving, according to the report.
The CDC has not made any recommendations on this matter.
contribution: KFF Health Newsformerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN) and USA TODAY health reporter Adrianna Rodriguez.
