Pharmacies and doctors’ offices are stocked with the most updated vaccines possible to help alleviate the public of the contagion, but health professionals say the flu vaccine only works if people get it.
Dr. Fausto Meza M.D., chief medical officer for the Seton South Market that is a part of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S., said the vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months or older.
Meza said the flu virus spreads through the air when a person with the virus coughs or sneezes and can be transferred to surfaces by touch. The typical flu season runs from October to March.
Meza said the most common strains of the flu virus are influenza A and influenza B. Even with vaccines available to combat this virus, Meza said it is still a dangerous illness that should be treated as such.
According to Meza, in 2014-2015, many people suffered from a strain of Influenza A that contained the H1N1 virus.
Meza said more people than ever before died that year from the H1N1 strain.
Since viruses change and mutate over time, Meza said vaccine manufacturers work directly with scientists to determine the specific strains they think will be prevalent in the coming year and determine how to develop a vaccine that will protect against it.
Meza encourages residents to stay informed on the different strains of the virus by utilizing the CDC’s website.
He recommends practicing good hygiene during the flu season. Good hygiene tips include washing hands frequently, especially when coughing and sneezing, along with covering a cough with a tissue or an upper sleeve and not the hands.
Meza said the most important factor in not spreading the virus depends on the patient. He strongly recommends that residents who think they may have the flu virus stay at home instead of reporting to work.
“Don’t go to work when you have the flu,” Meza said.
While this may present a monetary challenge to the patient, it may also reduce the likelihood of infecting the entire workplace.
Trying not to spread the virus after infection is important, but Meza said prevention is the key in winning the annual battle against the flu virus.
The flu vaccine is not a mandatory vaccine that everyone is forced to receive, but it is a good idea for everyone.
Meza said the main group of people who need the vaccine are the immune-compromised, such as young children, elderly adults, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems.
Meza said the flu is a real illness that if left untreated and unprevented can create a secondary bacterial infection that can lead to conditions such as pneumonia, which could lead to hospitalization.
“The flu vaccine can help prevent death from the virus for immune-compromised patients,” Meza said.
The best time for residents to get a flu vaccination is from October to March, which is when the flu virus typically spreads, Meza said.
Health professionals are also recommending the injectable form of the vaccine instead of the nasal mist for efficacy purposes this flu season
Meza said the nasal mist is a live/active virus whereas the injectable version is an inactivated virus and researchers have determined that this season the inactivated virus will combat the illness better.
Earlier this year, the Hays County Food Bank, in cooperation with Walgreens, provided 70 flu shots free of charge at its food distribution sites.
The services were coordinated by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
