Question: I didn’t get a flu shot this year because I’d heard it wasn’t really very effective. Is there anything I can do instead to ward off the flu?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
We currently recommend flu vaccination for all ages annually with few exceptions for those with true allergy to components of the vaccine, or those with other vaccine contra-indications. Patients can opt for a vaccine nasal spray that also reduces the carrier state of influenza in schools and areas where exposure risk is higher.
The mist is sniffed up the nose and is invariably well tolerated by most people. This year’s flu shot has been very effective, although it does not offer complete protection against one flu strain that is circulating widely.
Your best option is to be vaccinated now. Flu shot protection seems to be cumulative yearly, and those with regular annual vaccines have a significantly reduced incidence of serious cases of influenza. Vitamin C use during the first 3 days of influenza exposure may also be protective to some.
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