Here Comes the Flu

What you should know about vaccine and other prevention strategies

Flu Vaccines UPDATE

In light of the recent announcement about the shortage of flu vaccine Lehigh Valley Hospital has assembled a task force to determine the best way to distribute our supply of vaccine to assure that those at the greatest risk get vaccinated.

Get the latest information on vaccines and recommendations.

Last year the flu (or properly, "influenze") came earlier than usual, causing such a high demand for vaccine that many health care providers ran out. While it’s too early to predict this year’s timing, it pays to be informed and prepared.

Influenza is a serious and sometimes deadly type of virus. In the past decade or so, it’s killed about 36,000 Americans a year, but because flu strains mutate every year, there is always the risk for a devastating epidemic. In 1918, more than a half-million Americans died. “The question is not whether another epidemic will occur, but when—and how well we prepare,” says Luther Rhodes, M.D, infectious disease specialist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

Scientists begin creating each year’s flu vaccine six months in advance, based on their best guess at what strains will be circulating come autumn. “Unless we get a rogue virus, as in 1957 and 1968, the vaccine helps prevent serious illness in most people,” Rhodes says. “And if you’ve ever suffered from the flu, you realize it’s worth preventing.”

About flu vaccines

“I can see the time, not too distant, when flu shots will be recommended for everyone,” Rhodes says. “What we lack is enough vaccine and ready access to it.”

Timing is important. It takes about two weeks for immunity to build up after you’re vaccinated, says pediatrician Michael Consuelos, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. He suggests calling your doctor in early October to schedule your vaccination.

A single injection is sufficient for everyone except children under age 9 who are being immunized for the first time. “Those under age 3 aren’t old enough for a full-strength dose, so they’re given two injections a month apart,” Consuelos says. “For children ages 3 to 9, we recommend a second dose as a ‘booster’ to help develop protective antibodies.”

The risk for side effects is very low. Ever since vaccine-making techniques were improved in the 1970s, there have been few reports of side effects other than mild aches. People with egg allergies or Guillain-Barre syndrome should not receive a flu injection. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

There’s now a choice of injection or spray. If you hate injections or aren’t eligible due to an egg allergy, you can be protected from flu with a new nasal spray. It’s currently approved for people ages 5 to 49 and is fairly expensive ($80 vs. $10-15 for an injection), but the age range is expected to broaden and the cost to come down.

Other prevention tips

These suggestions may sound obvious, but they really do work in preventing the spread of flu virus through airborne droplets or hand-to-mouth contact:

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