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Questions & Answers
The Flu and you
Two Glen Cove Hospital infectious disease experts answer questions about the influenza vaccine.
Q: When should I get a flu shot?
A: Jeanine Woltmann, RN, epidemiology nurse manager: You should get the flu shot as soon as it becomes available — typically in September. It takes your body two weeks to build up immunity to the flu after you’ve been vaccinated. Flu season tends to peak in January, although we can’t always predict when it will hit. The earlier you are vaccinated, the sooner you’ll develop immunity.
Q: Can the flu shot cause the flu?
A: David Hirschwerk, MD, infectious disease specialist and head of the infection control committee: The flu shot cannot give you the flu as it does not contain the actual flu virus. Instead, the vaccine contains proteins — also known as antigens — that would be found in the virus. In rare instances, the body can react to certain ingredients in the vaccine, causing a mild fever. People who get the vaccine while the flu is circulating may contract the virus before they develop immunity or may contract another respiratory virus that exhibits flu-like symptoms.
Q: How effective is the flu shot?
A: Ms. Woltmann: The effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary from year to year, depending on what strain of the virus is circulating. Most years the vaccine is between 70 and 90 percent effective. Even if you do get the flu, being vaccinated tends to lessen the severity and duration of symptoms.
Q: Will this year’s flu shot protect against the latest strain?
A: Dr. Hirschwerk: The flu vaccine is prepared at the end of the summer based on what’s happening in other parts of world, during other countries’ flu seasons. This helps the vaccine developers match the vaccine with the strains of flu most likely to affect the US population. While it’s impossible to say for certain, the vaccine is usually a good match.
To watch educational videos about the flu, visit Flu.NorthShoreLIJ.com.
Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs that cause the flu. To properly wash up, wet your hands before applying soap, lather thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, rinse under running water and dry off using a clean towel.
Did You Know?
Populations that especially need to be vaccinated include the elderly, people with suppressed immune systems, pregnant women, healthcare workers and children ages six months to four years.
