Is flu shot, particularly this 2014, necessary? Why you and your children should have it every year?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, "The flu shot is a vaccine given with a needle, usually in the arm. The seasonal flu shot protects against the three or four influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season."
If you're asking why your kids should get vaccinated each year, here's what Mayo Clinic has to say: "New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses. Because flu viruses evolve so quickly, last year's vaccine may not protect you from this year's viruses. It added, "In general, though, antibody levels start to decline over time - another reason to get a flu shot every year."
It is recommended for people to get flu shot as vaccine becomes available (this 2014) or if possible, October. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity usually peaks in the U.S. between December and February but seasonal flu activity may also start as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
Kinds of flu shots, as reported by Live Science: "Trivalent flu vaccines protect against two influenza A strains, H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza B strain. Quadrivalent flu vaccines - offered for the first time in the 2013-2014 flu season - protect against the same strains as the trivalent vaccine, as well as an extra influenza B virus.
In addition to the standard dose flu vaccine given with a needle, flu shots are available in several different forms, including an egg-free version for people ages 18 to 49, a high-dose version for those ages 65 and older, a small-needle version for people ages 18 to 64, and a nasal spray, which is approved for healthy people ages 2 to 49."
There's no need to worry about the safety of flu shots. Dr. Henry Berstein, a specialist in pediatrics at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New Hyde Park, N.Y. said, "It is remarkably safe."
Have you and your children get flu shot this October 2014 already?
