The Center for Disease Control recommends getting the flu shot in September or October. However, one local researcher says the virus is spreading now in Houston and people shouldn’t wait.
Dr. Pedro Piedra said the cases today resemble more of what’s typical for December, so the season has begun earlier than expected.
Piedra and colleagues work to find treatments and prevention for the flu as well as research the spread across the globe. This year, he says global activity is concerning.
“When we look to our colleagues in the southern hemisphere, Australia to be exact, they experienced a much more severe flu season than they had previously. Often times Australia is a predictor of what we may see in the United States and so with the early season combined with what was observed in Australia, I do think we need to be prepared that this may be a severe year,” Piedra warned.
Who needs a flu shot?
Almost everyone needs a flu shot annually.
In particular: adults over 65, pregnant women, and young children are most at risk for severe disease.
“We know that children of all ages die, and so about a third of the children that die from influenza are under five and about two-thirds are greater than five,” Piedra said.
65 and older? Get a new vaccine
This year, there’s a new type of vaccine for people older than 65.
If you are older than 65, you’ll now be offered a higher dose vaccine, as recommended by the CDC.
“That includes vaccines that have more antigen content or have an adjuvant and so those are really specifically made for older folks,” Piedra explained.
Adjuvant basically means it’s made with an ingredient that can help the immune system fight the flu better. If it’s not offered, make sure to ask for it.
Piedra added that getting the flu vaccine with a COVID-19 booster is perfectly safe.
CVS Health said if you’re looking for a COVID-19 booster, type your zip code in where you book appointments online, all pharmacies that pop up are equipped with the new dose which is made to protect against all forms of Omicron.