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Flu Season Arrives Early: Are You Prepared?
2 Dec
Summary
- The flu season has begun earlier than usual this year.
- Vaccines take two weeks to become fully effective.
- Flu jabs protect against three different strains of the virus.
The flu season has commenced earlier than anticipated, prompting concerns about its severity. For those in the UK, free flu vaccines are prioritized for individuals over 65, people with weakened immune systems, and essential health and social care workers. The vaccine works by presenting a weakened 'picture' of the influenza virus to your immune system, allowing it to develop antibodies and prepare for infection.
It is important to note that flu vaccines take approximately two weeks to reach peak effectiveness, as your immune system needs time to produce the necessary antibodies. While the vaccine is designed to protect against three different strains of influenza, its effectiveness can vary yearly due to the virus's ability to change. Receiving a flu vaccine simultaneously with a COVID-19 vaccine has been deemed safe and effective.
Scientists globally collaborate through the World Health Organization to predict evolving flu strains, using data from the southern hemisphere's winter to inform vaccine development for the northern hemisphere. Although the vaccine may not always be a perfect match, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and transmission to vulnerable individuals.
