Don’t let the summer weather fool you; fall has arrived. And that has health officials spreading a familiar message: Get your flu shot.
Even though the calendar is still open to September, health officials say it’s not too early to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
“The recommendation is right now is a good time to get the vaccine,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health director and health officer. “The data that we have says that if you get the flu vaccine now, you have protection throughout the season.”
Last year, the flu season arrived in Clark County later than it had in the previous several years.
The 2015-16 flu season lasted about 17 weeks, with activity picking up in late January and peaking in early April. In the three previous flu seasons, however, flu activity picked up in November or December, peaked soon after, and tapered off by March, according to Clark County Public Health data.
Clark County recorded seven influenza-associated deaths in the 2015-16 flu season. As health officials issue reminders for the 2016-17 flu season, the state has already had an influenza-related death. A Spokane County man in his 50s with underlying health conditions died recently.
“This is exactly the reason why people should be getting vaccinated now and not waiting,” Melnick said.
Vaccine options
This year, flu vaccine options have changed. And the biggest change brings bad news for kids: This year’s flu shot is going to require a needle poke.
Just a couple of years after being declared the best option for children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that the popular nasal spray influenza vaccine not be used this year, following questions about its effectiveness.
Preliminary data from last flu season revealed the nasal spray was only 3 percent effective among children 2 to 17 years old, essentially yielding no protective benefit, according to the CDC.
The injected flu shots, in contrast, were 63 percent effective among children during the 2015-16 flu season, according to the CDC.
While it’s not recommended, the nasal spray vaccine may still be available since it continues to be a licensed vaccine.
Seniors have a new flu vaccine option this year — a shot made with adjuvant, which is a chemical added to the vaccine to make it more effective, Melnick said. The adjuvant vaccine, as well as a high-dose option, is available for those 65 and older.
Evidence that these varieties are more effective for seniors than traditional flu vaccines, however, is lacking.
“In theory, they could be better,” Melnick said. “But we don’t have evidence to back that up.”
Traditional flu vaccines protect against three different strains of the flu: two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B virus. Quadrivalent vaccines made to protect against four flu strains include a second influenza B virus.
Health officials recommend everyone 6 months and older receive a flu shot. Young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other long-term conditions are at greatest risk of complications from the flu.
“If you don’t want to do it to protect yourself,” Melnick said, “do it to protect others.”
