Dr. Mary Beth Saunders

The holidays spent with friends and loved ones are a special time of year for many people. Unfortunately, the winter months are also when annual influenza cases tend to spike.

One of the best ways to avoid getting sick during the holidays and having to potentially forgo some of your special holiday traditions and gatherings, is to make sure you’re vaccinated against the flu.

In addition to the vaccine, consider other wellness tips as well like ensuring you get enough rest, eating well and washing your hands frequently. Use warm and soapy water and wash hands for 20 seconds or more.

If you haven’t already received a flu shot, now may be the time to consider it.

What should I know if I’m planning to get a flu shot?

Getting a flu shot helps to make the illness less severe and keep you out of the hospital if you become sick. Studies also suggest that receiving a vaccine will help reduce community transmission. This is important if you’re planning on attending large gatherings this holiday season, especially if elderly or immunocompromised guests are present.

Flu season lasts from fall to winter and the shot is effective for the duration of the season. However, its effectiveness tends to wane as we get closer to spring. Keep in mind that after receiving the vaccine, the body needs at least two weeks after getting the shot to ramp up its defenses against the virus.

You can visit a Lee Health provider to receive your flu shot or visit leehealth.org for more information.

What is the flu shot’s success rate?

Studies show that the vaccine is 40-60% effective. However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t offer a blanket protection against the flu. If someone receives the vaccine and comes down with the illness, the vaccine will often make the flu less severe and keep that person out of the emergency department.

Why is a new flu vaccine recommended each year?

A new vaccine is offered each year because the flu virus mutates at a rapid pace and evolves and adapts each year, making the shot from last season less effective against the current season’s strain. It’s important each year to boost the immune system with a new dose of the shot so it has the best possible chance of fighting the illness.

The CDC recommends a flu shot for all children who are six months and older. The very first time they receive a flu vaccine, they should get two doses four weeks apart. After that, they should get one flu vaccine a year.

The CDC also says that there are three preferred flu vaccines for people 65 years and older: Fluzone High-Dose Quadriva-lent flu vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine.

There is no preferred recommendation for 18 to 65 year olds.

Staying healthy this holiday season

When considering if you’re well enough to attend a celebration this holiday season, consider how you’re feeling on the day of the event. If you’re experiencing congestion, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, headache or any other flu-like symptoms, it’s best to stay home.

When gathering with loved ones, be sure to wash hands often, wipe down surfaces in high-traffic areas, stay up-to-date on vaccinations, stay hydrated, keep a positive mindset and make time for self-care to help reduce stress. When we’re stressed, it’s harder for our bodies to fight off illnesses.

These tips should be considered year-round; however, it’s especially important to practice staying healthy during the holiday season when large gatherings and illnesses like the flu are more common.

If you’re starting to feel flu-like symptoms, please visit a convenient care location, your primary care provider or make an appointment with Lee TeleHealth, which provides e-Visits to message with a provider, on demand video visits and scheduled video visits.

The emergency department is strongly encouraged if you’re experiencing severe symptoms.

To receive your flu shot, make an appointment with your primary care provider, or visit leehealth.org for more information.

Dr. Mary Beth Saunders is Lee Health’s System Medical Director of Epidemiology.