With flu season officially here, health professionals are urging people to prioritize flu vaccinations, particularly for those at higher risk, such as children and older adults.
BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Gregg Sylvester, Chief Health Officer at CSL Seqirus, to get his insights on the significance of getting the flu vaccine, why it’s especially important for vulnerable groups, and what you should know for this upcoming flu season.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive the flu vaccine annually. This recommendation is particularly critical for children and older adults. Dr. Sylvester explains that it’s especially important that children younger than five, children with certain long-term health problems, and seniors get vaccinated due to their weakened or developing immune systems.
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Children are still building their immune defenses and are more susceptible to infections like influenza. While flu is not often fatal in children, it can lead to serious health complications, cause missed school days, and in severe cases, hospitalization.
“A few years ago, after the pandemic, flu rates spiked, and many children’s hospitals were overwhelmed. As a pediatrician, I believe children should be vaccinated,” Dr. Sylvester notes.
During the 2023/24 flu season, the CDC reported nearly 200 pediatric deaths from influenza-like illness. Nearly 90 percent of these children were not vaccinated against the flu.
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Older adults, on the other hand, have a condition known as immunosenescence, which is a decline in the immune system’s effectiveness over time. This makes it harder for them to fight off infections like the flu, leading to more severe illness, hospitalizations, and even death. Vaccination for this age group is crucial to help maintain immunity and reduce the severity of flu symptoms if they do contract the virus.
In the U.S., influenza significantly impacts adults 65 years of age and older. According to the CDC, approximately 80 percent of influenza-related deaths and 50-70 percent of influenza-related hospitalizations occur among adults 65 years of age and older.
“If you have a chronic condition, that puts you at an even higher risk for complications from the flu,” Dr. Sylvester adds. “Vaccines protect more than just the individual. For example, if a young child is vaccinated and doesn’t get sick, they reduce the risk of passing the flu to grandparents, who are often high-risk. If parents or caregivers get sick, they miss work or their children miss school. So, there are both societal and personal benefits to vaccination.”
What Are Your Flu Vaccine Options?
There are different variations of flu vaccines available, particularly for those aged 65 and older. Vaccines such as the Fluad and Fluzone High-Dose are recommended for older adults because they help generate a more robust immune defense. However, if these specific vaccines aren’t available, any flu vaccine is still beneficial and should be administered.
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Why Have Flu Vaccination Rates Declined?
Dr. Sylvester notes a concerning trend: flu vaccination rates have dropped since the pandemic.
According to the CDC, there has been nearly a 10 percent decline in flu vaccinations for children between six months to 17 years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the pandemic may have contributed to some “vaccine fatigue,” there are other underlying reasons. People may not feel the urgency to get vaccinated, especially as they associate vaccines more with COVID-19 rather than the flu.
Another reason people are often hesitant to get vaccinated is due to concerns about the safety of the flu vaccine. However, it is important to note that the flu vaccine is one of the most thoroughly studied vaccines available.
“While there are occasional adverse events, the benefits far outweigh the risks. As a company, we monitor safety from clinical trials through post-licensing. If anyone experiences a reaction, they can call our hotline, and we will share that data with the FDA and CDC. In the U.S., there’s a robust safety monitoring system, and the flu vaccine has been in use for decades. It’s safe,” Dr. Sylvester adds.
What is the Difference Between the Flu and the Common Cold?
One common question people have is how to distinguish between the flu and a common cold, especially as symptoms can overlap. Dr. Sylvester explains that flu symptoms tend to be more severe and hit suddenly, often including a high fever, body aches, fatigue, and a dry cough.
In contrast, a cold usually presents with milder symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild sore throat.
“When I was a young pediatrician, I knew the exact time and day I got the flu. It feels like a train hits you—headache, fever, body aches, and a severe cough. It’s much more intense than the common cold. While some people may get a mild case and recover quickly, others, like me, are bedridden for days,” Dr. Sylvester shares.
When is the Best Time to Get Vaccinated?
When it comes to timing, Dr. Sylvester advises that the best time to get vaccinated is before flu season kicks into high gear.
“We typically see flu season start in late October or early November, lasting through the winter and into spring. The ideal time to get vaccinated is in September or October, before flu season begins. However, it’s still beneficial to get vaccinated in November or later. The flu virus changes each year, so an annual flu shot is necessary,” Dr. Sylvester suggests.
What Additional Steps Can You Take to Protect Yourself?
In addition to getting vaccinated, you can take other steps to boost your immunity and prevent the spread of the flu. Regular hand washing, staying home when sick, and practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette (e.g., sneezing into your elbow) are simple yet effective measures.
“If you do get infected, there are antiviral medications, but the best protection is the flu vaccine,” Dr. Sylvester notes.
How Can You Prepare for the 2024 Flu Season?
Looking ahead to this flu season, Dr. Sylvester pointed out that flu patterns in the Southern Hemisphere can provide some clues about what to expect.
“We always look at last year’s data, but flu seasons vary. We also keep an eye on flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere, and this year, Australia had an average flu season. I expect this flu season to be similar, so the best preparation is to get vaccinated,” Dr. Sylvester concludes.
