The flu vaccine saves lives.
According to the CDC, the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of needing to go to the doctor for a case of flu by 40% to 60%. During 2019-2020, flu vaccinations prevented an estimated 7 million influenza illnesses, 3 million influenza-associated medical visits, 100,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 7,000 influenza-associated deaths.
A 2017 systematic review found that flu vaccines reduced the risk of flu-associated hospitalization among older adults by about 40% on average. A 2018 study found that from 2012 to 2015, flu vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to an ICU with flu by 82%.
However, the big question is: when is the right time to get the flu shot so that it’s most effective?
The New York Times reports on the importance of not getting vaccinated too soon. Here’s the start of the story:
In the waning days of summer, flu season can still feel a long way off. Yet some pharmacy chains have already started urging consumers to beat the crowds and schedule a flu vaccine.
But experts said that for most people, getting a shot at the start of September may be too early to provide protection that will last throughout flu season.
This year’s vaccines protect against several different flu viruses, which can cause fever, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea and other symptoms. In serious cases, an infection can lead to hospitalization or even be fatal. There were about 35 million cases of flu nationwide last season. About 400,000 people were hospitalized with flu infections, and 25,000 people died.
When is the right time for a shot?
Ideally, you want to get your flu shot before cases in your area start picking up. The problem is, it’s difficult to predict when exactly that will happen, because it varies in different parts of the country and from year to year. The Covid-19 pandemic also disrupted flu season, delaying the start and sharply diminishing the spread of the flu virus from 2020 to 2022.