Vaccine timing is tricky. I used to suggest people wait until later in the season, but switched to getting shots in arms when I saw people after that early flu outbreak. Last year I caught Covid from my brother-in-law at Christmas (he went on to have an MI with that infection) but my husband, immunized 3 weeks after I in the fall did not catch it. I plan to try to get my Covid vaccine closer to the holiday meet and greet this year-maybe early Nov. Anecdotally, I have had flu shots every year since childhood and never had flu despite seeing unmasked patients with infection in small exam rooms for 35 years.
Hi Cameron, this seems like a totally reasonable approach. It really is a personalized Texas hold ‘em poker game with these viruses, it’s hard to get the wagers completely right. I wish you good luck with this plan, and that you can keep the no influenza streak alive! I don’t remember the last time I had influenza as I get the yearly flu shot, but I do wear masks, especially surges in examining rooms. We now have the ability to do rapid flu a, flu b, Covid, and strep tests in the office, so I’m picking up a lot more flu in general when I do check during flu season.. Best of luck!
"Hopefully in early September, if not sick before then." Until September think positive: I will not get sick. I will not get sick. I will not get sick. And, of course, then get the shot.
Thanks, Nancy! I admit that sometimes I’m prone to catastrophic thinking or at least pessimism! I think I can, I think I can, like a train up a hill, right? Good luck to you too.
Oh, wow, that coquis serenade, so beautiful! Thanks for including it, and I trust you and yours had a terrific time away. And THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this extremely valuable post. Until COVID came along, and I started paying a lot more attention to what vaccines achieved, I’d never given a thought to or understood what went into both make-up and timing of flu vaccines. All I knew was my Mom, every year, would remind us when it was time (still does to this day), and we dutifully went out to get them. On a side note, while we don’t know exactly the circumstances, it appears a visitor or aide to a 94-year old friend of ours unknowingly brought her the flu last November, and she has been bedridden ever since. So, that only underscores for me the importance of the flu shots, but also of taking sensible precautions, like masking up, prior to visiting older friends. (She is still a lively, engaging conversationalist, and enjoys getting gourmet treats to supplement her semi-institutional diet. An amazing person, who we are hoping, with PT, may yet get back on her feet again.)
Hi Susan, thank you for stopping by as always! Yes, I have a deep and abiding respect for influenza, especially in older people. It was really Covid before Covid was Covid, If that makes sense🤨
Even before the pandemic, I would wear a surgical mask in rooms where I thought someone had influenza, and during the H1N1 mini pandemic. Using personal protective equipment makes other people uneasy, but is an opportunity for education if they challenge/ask. I hope your dear friend does indeed get back on her feet with some rehabilitation.
Thanks Sue, and I don’t think anyone recommends this, but it’s a good idea to think about. here’s an article that provides some evidence that a second shot isn’t really worth it for most people:
“ While men and women 65 and older are also at high-risk from complications of flu, boosting does not seem to provide benefits in this age group. In two studies of patients who were in their 70s, the second dose of vaccine failed to increase the levels of antibodies against influenza. Older men and women may, however, get extra protection from a single shot of high-dose flu vaccine.”
Given all the news circulating, does it make sense for pharma's to start manufacturing in quantity dengue fever, mpox and Avian flu vaccines too? I'd certainly line up to take them as they became available.
Hi Michael - I know there is a lot of development in this area and a lot of it depends on regional prevalence and risk/benefit. Here in the primary care world I wait for expert and consensus guidance (although I do speculate and offer my own two cents when I can!). One reader reached out to me after the mosquito post and gave me a heads up about a chikungunya vaccine his company has developed. I'll keep you and myself posted if serious recommendation are out there for Americans regarding all the above you've mentioned... but I still take my cues from the bosses. I know they are working on H5N1 candidates for a nightmare contingency plan this winter.
Thank you, Doc, for this information. You have helped me make the when to decision to get the shots. I now know what I’m giving myself for my birthday!!
Vaccine timing is tricky. I used to suggest people wait until later in the season, but switched to getting shots in arms when I saw people after that early flu outbreak. Last year I caught Covid from my brother-in-law at Christmas (he went on to have an MI with that infection) but my husband, immunized 3 weeks after I in the fall did not catch it. I plan to try to get my Covid vaccine closer to the holiday meet and greet this year-maybe early Nov. Anecdotally, I have had flu shots every year since childhood and never had flu despite seeing unmasked patients with infection in small exam rooms for 35 years.
Hi Cameron, this seems like a totally reasonable approach. It really is a personalized Texas hold ‘em poker game with these viruses, it’s hard to get the wagers completely right. I wish you good luck with this plan, and that you can keep the no influenza streak alive! I don’t remember the last time I had influenza as I get the yearly flu shot, but I do wear masks, especially surges in examining rooms. We now have the ability to do rapid flu a, flu b, Covid, and strep tests in the office, so I’m picking up a lot more flu in general when I do check during flu season.. Best of luck!
"Hopefully in early September, if not sick before then." Until September think positive: I will not get sick. I will not get sick. I will not get sick. And, of course, then get the shot.
Thanks, Nancy! I admit that sometimes I’m prone to catastrophic thinking or at least pessimism! I think I can, I think I can, like a train up a hill, right? Good luck to you too.
Oh, wow, that coquis serenade, so beautiful! Thanks for including it, and I trust you and yours had a terrific time away. And THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this extremely valuable post. Until COVID came along, and I started paying a lot more attention to what vaccines achieved, I’d never given a thought to or understood what went into both make-up and timing of flu vaccines. All I knew was my Mom, every year, would remind us when it was time (still does to this day), and we dutifully went out to get them. On a side note, while we don’t know exactly the circumstances, it appears a visitor or aide to a 94-year old friend of ours unknowingly brought her the flu last November, and she has been bedridden ever since. So, that only underscores for me the importance of the flu shots, but also of taking sensible precautions, like masking up, prior to visiting older friends. (She is still a lively, engaging conversationalist, and enjoys getting gourmet treats to supplement her semi-institutional diet. An amazing person, who we are hoping, with PT, may yet get back on her feet again.)
Hi Susan, thank you for stopping by as always! Yes, I have a deep and abiding respect for influenza, especially in older people. It was really Covid before Covid was Covid, If that makes sense🤨
Even before the pandemic, I would wear a surgical mask in rooms where I thought someone had influenza, and during the H1N1 mini pandemic. Using personal protective equipment makes other people uneasy, but is an opportunity for education if they challenge/ask. I hope your dear friend does indeed get back on her feet with some rehabilitation.
Thank you! For the very vulnerable elderly, would it be a terrible idea to get the flu shot early AND late?
Thanks Sue, and I don’t think anyone recommends this, but it’s a good idea to think about. here’s an article that provides some evidence that a second shot isn’t really worth it for most people:
“ While men and women 65 and older are also at high-risk from complications of flu, boosting does not seem to provide benefits in this age group. In two studies of patients who were in their 70s, the second dose of vaccine failed to increase the levels of antibodies against influenza. Older men and women may, however, get extra protection from a single shot of high-dose flu vaccine.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/well/live/would-two-flu-shots-protect-me-better-than-one.html
Given all the news circulating, does it make sense for pharma's to start manufacturing in quantity dengue fever, mpox and Avian flu vaccines too? I'd certainly line up to take them as they became available.
Hi Michael - I know there is a lot of development in this area and a lot of it depends on regional prevalence and risk/benefit. Here in the primary care world I wait for expert and consensus guidance (although I do speculate and offer my own two cents when I can!). One reader reached out to me after the mosquito post and gave me a heads up about a chikungunya vaccine his company has developed. I'll keep you and myself posted if serious recommendation are out there for Americans regarding all the above you've mentioned... but I still take my cues from the bosses. I know they are working on H5N1 candidates for a nightmare contingency plan this winter.
That Chiungunya vax:
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/prevention/chikungunya-vaccine.html
Ryan, thank you for this valuable reminder. I have set up reminders on my calendar. No “putting off”!!!!
That's the way to do it, Mary! Otherwise I forget to tie my shoes in the morning :)
Thank you, Doc, for this information. You have helped me make the when to decision to get the shots. I now know what I’m giving myself for my birthday!!
I'm glad Cathy, and happy birthday coming up :)
I'll send a quick note out if flu rates start climbing earlier than expected.