ColumbiaCare

Below are frequently asked questions regarding the flu:

1) How long is the flu season?
“We’ve seen some cases as early as November and as late as April, but typically the majority of cases happen in January and February.” – David Dale, University of Missouri Student Health Center

2) Are there any side effects from the vaccination?
“Most side effects are mild and include: soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given. Sometimes fever or aches can accompany the vaccination.” – DD

3) Are there any restrictions on who can and can’t get the vaccination?
“The vaccine is not recommended for people with severe or life threatening allergies. Especially people with a severe egg allergy since the Influenza vaccine virus is grown in eggs. Also, anyone who’s ever had GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) should consult their doctor before getting the vaccination.
And anyone who’s moderately or severely ill should wait until they’ve recovered to get the vaccine. We recommend that if a patient has any of the above concerns, they should talk with their health care provider or physician before choosing to get the vaccine.” - DD

4) When is the best time to get the vaccination?
“You should try to get the vaccination in Oct. or Nov. The vaccine will last about a year and will cover you during the height of flu season. It takes about two weeks for the vaccination to take effect.”- DD

5) Can you still get the flu after being vaccinated?
“Yes. No Influenza vaccination is 100% effective. Also, there are many different strains of the flu, and the vaccination may not protect against all of them.” - DD

6) Is this year’s flu season worse than previous years?
“As of now, no. Our providers haven’t had any indication that this year’s flu season will be any worse than year’s past.”- DD