Time to think about getting your flu shot
Flu season is on the horizon and the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Public Health and Wellness division (VNA of Cape Cod) is ramping up its scheduling of area flu clinics. Most are scheduled to begin in October.
“Last year, we administered 750-800 doses of flu vaccine,” said Mary Mahan, RN, BSN, immunization public health nurse for the VNA of Cape Cod. “We do at least two to three clinics every week (once the clinics begin) for a total of 20-30 clinics.”
The clinics, which are held during September, October and November, are open to anyone 6 months and older. They are conducted in senior centers, schools and other municipal buildings in 13 of the 15 Cape towns. The exception is Barnstable and Sandwich because they are not contracted with the VNA Public Health Department.
“It is best to get vaccinated in early fall before the start of the flu season,” said Mahan. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and protect the body against the virus. The flu peaks in mid-winter and can last through early spring.”
Types of Vaccines
All of the flu vaccines are quadrivalent this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccines protect against four different flu viruses, two A viruses and two B viruses.
While there is no preferred flu vaccine for those under 65, there are three vaccines recommended for those 65 and over, according to the CDC. They are Fluzone high dose quadrivalent vaccine, Flubok Quadrivalent Recombinant flu vaccine, and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.
On June 22, 2022, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend these vaccines over standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. They said their decision was based on studies that these vaccines were potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted vaccines.
“We will be providing the high-dose vaccine for those 65 and older,” said Mahan.
The CDC also stated that if someone over 65 is unable to receive one of these vaccines, they should get an age-appropriate standard-dose vaccine instead.
Mahan recommends everyone get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine or booster to guard against having to possibly deal with two viruses at the same time.
“There isn’t a vaccine as yet that combines the flu and COVID-19,” said Mahan. “However, the latest updates indicate the pharmaceutical companies are coming out with a new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine in the Fall.”
Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, headache, nausea and vomiting and can be a risk for complications.
Process at the Clinic
Everyone who comes to the clinic is required to wear a mask, have their insurance card with them and an upper arm accessible. No prescription is necessary and there is no waiting after you receive the shot, said Mahan.
The VNA charges your insurance company for the administration of the vaccine for adults. Children’s immunizations are free because they are covered by the State of Massachusetts, said Mahan.
Individuals have the option of contacting their town’s senior center or the Cape Cod Councils on Aging. If clinic dates are not available, they can ask to be put on a wait list to be notified when they will be held in their area.
Homebound patients will begin to receive their flu shots beginning in late October, early November, said Mahan.
For further information about the clinics or to make an appointment, residents can contact Amy Chipman at the VNA of Cape Cod: 508-957-7423.
