Flu makes early appearance in Tri-City area

“The flu came very early to the Tri-City area this year,” said Dr. Robert Blereau, a sentinel flu physician for the Centers for Disease Control.

He is urging everyone aged 6 months and older to get the flu vaccine. People 65 and older and the very young are at most risk from serious complications from the flu.

“I keep track of the patients I see that have flu symptoms and flu tests year round,” he said of his work.

He noted now is a good time to make sure to have the flu vaccine, especially since it is already circulating among school students. This will allow the body time to build the immune response needed to cover the flu season which runs from now until May 2022.

The type of inactive flu in vaccines varies each year, but typically there are two versions of the Type A and Type B influenza that the CDC predicts will be most active.

Most people are given inactivated influenza vaccines. And there are flu shots that are not egg-based for those needing them as well.

Also, people 65 and older are advised to get the high-dose flu shot since the body’s ability to make antibodies decreases with age, Blereau said.

Children ages 6 months through 8 years usually need two shots at least four weeks apart for best coverage when taking the vaccine for the first time. Ask the child’s physician for the correct guidance.

According to Blereau, anyone with contraindications to the flu vaccine should discuss the issue with their physician. Contraindications include anyone who has a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccines and anyone who has a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of a previous dose of any kind of influenza vaccine. Immunocompromised persons should not take select flu vaccines with live attenuated influenza such as FluMist Quadrivalent by AstraZeneca, according to CDC documentation.

To decide which flu shot is the right one, discuss the varieties available with your physician.
Blereau also noted that the flu shot can be taken with the COVID-19 vaccine. There does not need to be any time interval between the two vaccines.

Most people only experience a mild arm soreness when receiving the flu vaccine.