A lesson from Australia’s flu season: Get your shot sooner than you thought
Australia had its worst influenza season in five years and could be a warning for what is in store for us.
“They had a fairly significant flu season, which started earlier than usual, peaked higher and ended a little bit earlier as well,” said William Agel, MD, chief medical officer for Cape Cod Hospital and Cape Cod Healthcare.
According to the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, the flu season started in April this year (winter in the southern hemisphere) and peaked in June, when it usually starts in June and peaks in August. This means our flu season could begin in October and peak in December if we follow the same pattern as Australia, said Dr. Agel. We can’t guarantee that ours will look exactly like theirs, but it’s always a fair indicator.
For these reasons, Dr. Agel is recommending adults and children get their flu shot now and not wait until November or closer to the winter months when flu typically becomes prevalent.
Types of Vaccines this Year
All flu vaccines this year are quadrivalent and are effective against two types of type A influenza and two types of B influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). There are a variety of options, including egg-free and thimerosal-free influenza vaccines. For people 65 and older, who often have a lower immune response than younger people, there are higher-dose and adjuvanted vaccines. The adjuvanted vaccines have an ingredient that helps the vaccine to generate a higher immune response.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. This year’s vaccines protect against four strains of the flu and, while they are not always a match with the strains in the community, they do prevent against serious illness.
Vaccines available for children are a shot or nasal spray. Children aged 2 and up and non-pregnant healthy adults up to age 49 can receive the nasal spray, according to the CDC.
Children ages 6 months to 8 years will receive two doses of the vaccine, four weeks apart, if it is their first time or if they have only received one dose, ever, before July 1.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines at the Same Time
Adults can get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, said Dr. Agel, and data shows that if you get them at the same time, they have the same effect for protection against both illnesses.
“Those who may be concerned about reactions, the best description of whatever you felt the last time, is likely what you are going to feel this time,” he said. “For most, it is about 24 hours of headache, fatigue and not feeling up to par. Some have a pretty brisk response with a fever, but, again, it is all over in a day or so.”
The AAP recommends parents talk with their pediatrician about their children receiving other vaccines with flu vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Agel stressed the importance of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, not only to protect yourself but children around you who are susceptible to serious illness from both diseases, and family members and friends who are over 65.
Cape Cod Healthcare retail pharmacies provide appointments to receive vaccines in their locations. You can sign up through the MyChart portal or by calling 508-957-8600.
