Fighting the flu and COVID-19 with proper vaccine timing

As we embark on another flu season and transition into these winter months, receiving the flu and COVID vaccines is an important part of your general well-being. Many questions may arise about the timing and extent of the flu and COVID vaccines, and that is perfectly normal, so clarification on when you should be getting them to better protect yourself is of the utmost importance.

Getting vaccinated in the fall can lower your chances of getting the flu, however getting a flu shot too soon can leave a person unprotected later in the season when people are more commonly sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it takes two weeks for your body to produce the right amount of antibodies to effectively fight the flu virus after receiving your annual flu vaccination. Additionally, after these two weeks, the body is primed to fight off the flu virus for three to six months as the protective effects of the vaccine decrease over time.

Receiving a flu vaccination in late fall ensures the most protection for the entirety of the peak flu virus season, which typically occurs from December to February. Although it may seem like a good idea to get the flu vaccine as soon as they are available in August, this puts you at risk of contracting the flu in later months as the vaccine wanes by the end of January or February.          

It is recommended to work with your pharmacy team to ensure you are getting the flu vaccine at the right time. Getting the vaccine right away will not protect you more, but give you less protection as the flu season progresses.                   

Along with the flu, another virus that affects our health is the COVID-19 virus. Although the pandemic has passed, getting vaccinated against COVID is still important for our wellbeing. The COVID virus, similarly to the flu, changes with time as new variants develop within the population. Changes in the virus pose health complications for those at risk, even if previously vaccinated. New vaccines are developed each year to help fight against the new variants.       

The recommendations for COVID vaccines this fall, per the CDC, are to receive a new booster of either Moderna or Pfizer if you are 6 months and older. This is especially important for those at risk of severe complications from COVID-19 infection, including people ages 65 and older, people with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, those with compromised immune systems, those living in long-term care facilities, and pregnant individuals. The interval in which you can receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose is at least 8 weeks from your most recent COVID vaccine. If you haven’t been vaccinated against COVID within the past 8 weeks, receiving a booster is the best way to optimize your protection from serious health consequences if you were to be exposed to the virus.         

Both Mille Lacs Health System Community Pharmacy locations in Onamia & Isle are welcoming walk-ins for vaccines of adults. Pharmacy Vaccine Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Youth under 18 years old need a clinic appointment with a nurse. Call 320-532-3154 to schedule.