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Seasonal Vaccination Updates

Most flu shots are reserved for patients who get primary and speciality care at Sansum Clinic – while supplies last.
2023-2024 FLU SHOT INFORMATION FOR SANSUM CLINIC PATIENTS
Flu Shot Information

Flu Shot Information

Available to Sansum Clinic patients while supplies last

Additional Information on Influenza

Additional Information on Influenza

Guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information

The latest guidelines for Sansum Clinic Patients

RSV Information

RSV Information

Guidance for Sansum Clinic Patients

Additional Information on Influenza

 

As the flu season rapidly approaches, updated guidance for influenza vaccination for the 2023-2024 Flu Season has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC recommends receiving flu shots by the end of October.

Flu viruses are always changing. The composition of U.S. flu vaccines is reviewed annually by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and updated to best match the flu viruses which research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. 

Preliminary estimates show that during the 2022-2023 flu season, people who were vaccinated against flu were about 40% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized because of flu illness or related complications (CDC) 

Influenza (“The Flu”)

The influenza virus can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions causing what we call the flu. Anyone can get the flu so the best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year.  

For most people, symptoms of the flu last only a few days. They include:

  • fever/chills
  • sore throat
  • muscle aches
  • fatigue
  • cough
  • headache
  • runny or stuffy nose

Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza.

Who is most vulnerable to the flu?

  • People 65 and older
  • People with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, heart, lung or kidney disease
  • Pregnant women
  • Young children, under 6 months of age, are at higher risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated.  People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

Who should get the flu vaccine and when?

  • All people 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available-typically in September and October, to build up antibodies prior to when the flu virus is circulating. By getting a flu vaccine, you can protect yourself from flu and may also avoid spreading flu to others.

  • Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe flu and their close contacts, including healthcare personnel and caretakers of or close contacts of children younger than 6 months. 

When do most people get the flu?

Flu can occur at any time, but most influenza occurs from October through May. Getting vaccinated later in the season will still be beneficial, as long as the flu virus is still circulating.

Do you need more than one dose of flu vaccine?

Adults and older children need one dose of flu vaccine each year.

Children 6 months through 8 years getting a flu vaccine for the first time, will require two doses of vaccine for full protection. The first dose should be given as soon as the flu vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be administered 4 weeks after the first dose.

Can I get a flu shot and other vaccines at the same time?

Flu vaccine may be given at the same time as some other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines.

However, young children who get inactivated flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) at the same time appear to be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information and tell your doctor if a child who is getting a flu vaccine has ever had a seizure.

If I have certain allergies, can I get a flu shot? 

While allergic reactions to flu vaccines are rare, some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. 

This year, an FDA Advisory Committee determined that people with an egg allergy may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg based) that is appropriate for their age and health status. Additional safety measures are no longer recommended for receipt of any formulation.

Tell your doctor if you ever had a severe reaction after a flu shot. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS). Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.

People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine. If you are ill, talk to your doctor about whether to reschedule the vaccination. People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your healthcare provider.

What are some of the symptoms I might experience after getting a flu shot? 

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely rare. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. The safety of vaccines is always being monitored.

Some mild symptoms you may experience after a flu shot include:

  • soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
  • hoarseness; sore, red or itchy eyes;
  • cough
  • fever
  • aches
  • headache
  • itching or fatigue

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and may last 1-2 days.

After the Flu shot look for any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

In this case, you should:‍

  • Call 911 and get the person to the nearest hospital right away.
  • Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.

For more information, contact the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

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