New flu vaccine to help with this year’s flu season
The U.S. is at the peak of an intense flu season right now. This is how experts say you can prevent infection.
Jill Roberts, a researcher of infectious diseases at USF, said the flu may hit younger people harder since some might not have the antibodies for this year’s strains.
“We have two dominant strains of flu going around this year, as well as the bird flu,” Roberts said. “The unique thing about this season is it’s hitting the younger population harder.”
Flu season normally runs from October to March, usually exploding in February and dying off after.
The Florida Department of Health reported there have been 23,000 cases in Florida, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 24 million cases across the U.S.
Roberts said the “good news” is that this year’s vaccine is a “perfect match.”
“This is an effective barrier, a very effective barrier against flu because the droplets are very big,” Roberts said.
The vaccine does not prevent flu infection, but it limits the severity of the case, she said.
“What does that mean clinically? People that are vaccinated won’t die and won’t go to the hospital,” Roberts said.
Some people say they never got the flu shot and never got infected.
But the reality is different.
“I hear someone that has no antibody and is in big trouble when they’re old,” Roberts said. “The more antibody you have, the better.”
Roberts encouraged everyone to get the vaccine, especially young people.
You can get your flu shot at numerous locations, such as CVS or Walgreens, for walk-in appointments.
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