Flu shots for the 2021-2022 seasonal influenza season are now available at Healthvia Pharmacy. 

Public health officials at the CDC are recommending influenza vaccinations for everyone 6 months of age and older to prevent the flu from helping to spike hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. 

Getting the flu shot in 2021 and 2022 is especially important because of the emergence and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The flu shot this year will only offer protection against the flu and not SARS COV-2, which is commonly called the coronavirus or COVID-19. 

It is important to know that it is possible to have both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu at the same time.

What is the flu?

Flu is short for influenza, a contagious respiratory illness and infectious disease caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. The symptoms can be very painful, uncomfortable and in severe cases, can even be fatal.

In most cases, the flu will go away on its own after rest and getting plenty of fluids. However, in some cases, complications can get more severe over time, especially for the elderly, young children and others with compromised immune systems.

What’s in the flu shots?

The most important ingredient in a flu shot are tiny amounts of deactivated influenza viruses. These deactivated strains are completely harmless and are only designed to boost immunity, not make you sick.

The seasonal flu shot that the CDC recommends protects against the most common flu virus strains that appear during normal flu seasons. Most are so-called “quadrivalent” vaccines because they contain deactivated versions of the four most common strains of seasonal flu, influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and two influenza B virus strains.

Manufacturers typically produce hundreds of millions of doses each flu season. These can either be in shot form or are nasal spray flu vaccines. Flu vaccine work and research is done year round to produce the most effective form possible for each flu season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that flu vaccines go through a rigorous and extensive development program in the laboratory, as well as undergoing animal studies and human clinical trials, before being approved for mass production.

Once it’s administered, the vaccine will cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies give the body’s immune system protection against infection thanks to the weakened flu strains contained in the vaccine, triggering an immune response.

What are the different types of flu shots available at Healthvia?

Flu shots containing the “quadrivalent” vaccine are the most widely available and can be found at our pharmacy.

The Senior flu shot is also available at our pharmacy. It is a flu shot designed specifically for people 65 years and older.

Please note that flu shots can only be administered to children 3 years and older. 

Can I get a walk-in flu shot at Healthvia?

Yes, flu shots, including quadrivalent and high-dose options, are available on a walk-in basis during flu season.

What are common flu shot side effects?

The goal of flu vaccination is to protect against and reduce the severity of flu illness. Now, as with any medical product or procedure, the annual flu vaccine may cause side effects in some cases. Any flu shot side effects are generally mild and these flu like symptoms will usually go away on their own after a short time.

Common flu vaccine side effects include:

• Soreness, redness and/or swelling at the injection site
• Headache
• Low grade fever
• Nausea
• Muscle aches

These side effects can be complicated by certain underlying health conditions. Also, if this is the first time that you’re receiving the vaccine, there is a chance you might experience an allergic reaction, which could be life threatening. These sorts of reactions are rare, but if you’re concerned, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For the vast majority of people getting vaccinated against the flu, it is a routine measure that helps guard against catching the flu and doesn’t require worrying or asking “Are flu shots safe?”

When should I get a flu shot?

Getting an annual seasonal flu vaccine can be the best way to protect against getting the flu and help contribute positively to public health. Flu vaccination has been shown to have a lot of benefits, including reducing the risk of getting the flu, being hospitalized and even flu-related deaths in smaller children.

That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone get a flu shot, especially for those with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease; pregnant women; people 65 and older; or people who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications.

Every flu season is different, and so are the vaccines developed each year. The CDC recommends flu shots as soon as the new vaccine is available since it takes about two weeks from the date of vaccination for antibodies to develop against the flu.

How long does the flu shot last?

The flu shot’s effectiveness declines over time but it should bolster your immunity from the flu for approximately six months. The vaccine’s effectiveness may also vary depending on your age group and if you have any chronic health conditions.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The first signs or symptoms of the flu may be mild or just seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, the signs and symptoms of the flu are usually much worse than those of the cold.

Symptoms of the flu may include some (or all) of the signs below:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Vomiting and diarrhea (though this is more common in children than adults)

How does the flu spread?

People with the flu can infect others up to 6 feet away. Medical experts think that flu viruses spread mainly when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk—the droplets of the flu virus that are emitted can land in the mouths or noses of nearby individuals who then inhale the virus themselves. Also, the flu can be spread by someone touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.

What happens when the flu spreads?

The flu is most contagious in the first 3–4 days after a person begins to show signs of the illness. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms of the flu develop and up to 5–7 days after becoming sick.

Symptoms of the flu can begin about two days after the virus enters the body (but this can range from 1–4 days). That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others.

It has been found that flu viruses can survive for:

• Up to an hour in the air in enclosed environments
• More than eight hours on hard surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic
• Up to five minutes on hands after transfer from other surfaces

How long does the flu last?

Most of the normal flu symptoms steadily improve over 2–5 days, however, it’s not uncommon to feel tired, fatigued or run down for a week or more. If you have a high risk of complications or begin to experience more severe symptoms, it’s best to contact your doctor.

Fortunately for people who’ve had a flu shot, those flu symptoms can last a shorter amount of time, or not be as severe.