How Soon Does a Flu Shot Become Effective?
Every year millions of Americans get influenza, a common viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, and headaches. Many recover from the flu on their own at home, but this contagious respiratory disease can be deadly, particularly for those with underlying symptoms. While the flu comes every year, people can depend on the vaccine to protect themselves. Even though for many, it’s a mild illness. Having the flu still isn’t any fun, and a lot of people prefer to be proactive and get vaccinated at their local flu shots clinic in Suwanee, GA. If you’re interested in getting a flu shot, then you may be wondering how long it will take for the vaccine to start working and protecting you against the virus. Here’s what you need to know about the flu shot and how long it takes to develop protection against the virus.
How Do Flu Shots Work?
Flu shots take about two weeks to start working, as these vaccines, which contain viruses, cause antibodies to develop. These antibodies offer protection against the seasonal influenza viruses that are predicted to be most prevalent in the upcoming months. The majority of U.S. flu vaccines are labeled quadrivalent as they protect against four flu viruses: influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and two influenza B viruses. There are also trivalent flu vaccines available at onsite flu shot clinics, with some designed for people aged 65 and older to produce a strong immune response.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
Flu shots for kids are important, just like flu shots for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone from the age of six months should get a flu shot every year. There are rare exceptions to this recommendation, with some individuals whose health history or allergies mean they should not have a flu shot. Unless you’ve been told by your doctor that you cannot have a flu shot, or you’ve checked with the staff at an onsite flu shots clinic, you should look at getting vaccinated each year. This is especially important for individuals who are at high risk of developing flu-related complications, including young children, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and those affected by diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
Why Do You Need an Annual Flu Shot?
Unlike some other vaccines that have a longer protection period, flu shots are required every year to ensure proper protection. Your immune response and protection from vaccination will weaken over time, so a yearly vaccine for a common virus is the best choice to protect yourself. Plus, flu viruses change all the time, and vaccines are often updated to better protect against upcoming viruses. If you want the best protection for you and your family, then you should prioritize flu shots every year.
If you want to get a flu shot, you can head to an urgent care near you in Suwanee, GA. Visit the trusted team at Gwinnett Urgent Care to take care of your flu shots and answer any questions you have about the flu.