Thread by @joycesanchezmd, Wondering whether to get the flu vaccine now or wait until later [...]

Wondering whether to get the flu vaccine now or wait until later in the season? I found conversations with @EpiEllie and @BhadeliaMD helpful. A thread

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Wondering whether to get the flu vaccine now or wait until later in the season? I found conversations with @EpiEllie and @BhadeliaMD helpful. A thread https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

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Traditionally, flu peaks in the US Dec-Feb, so it’s ideal to ensure peak immunity during those months. 2/
#anchor_1531424547919">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm #anchor_1531424547919">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about...

Traditionally, flu peaks in the US Dec-Feb, so it’s ideal to ensure peak immunity during those months. 2/ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about...

Immune response takes at least 2 weeks, and in some (particularly the elderly), immunity can wane after 4-6 months. Therefore October is traditionally deemed to be the “sweet spot”

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https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/preve...

Immune response takes at least 2 weeks, and in some (particularly the elderly), immunity can wane after 4-6 months. Therefore October is traditionally deemed to be the “sweet spot” https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

3/ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/preve..." title="Immune response takes at least 2 weeks, and in some (particularly the elderly), immunity can wane after 4-6 months. Therefore October is traditionally deemed to be the “sweet spot” https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎯" title="Volltreffer" aria-label="Emoji: Volltreffer"> 3/ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/preve..." class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Trouble is, flu is unpredictable. Just last season, the US, particularly the South, saw an early flu season begin in October. Other years a second spike comes as late as April. And rarely, we see spikes during the summer! 4/

On the bright side, the flu season in the Northern hemisphere generally reflects what the Southern Hemisphere experiences in the preceding months. Flu in April-Aug 2020 in these countries was almost nonexistent. 5/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/how-will-covid-19-affect-coming-flu-season-scientists-struggle-clues#">https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020...

Why? One hypothesis is that the same protective measures the world was taking to prevent COVID-19 spread (distance, masks, hand hygiene, etc) almost certainly helped in the cause of preventing spread of flu. And last season was cut short by 6 weeks. 6/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7258883/#!po=5.00000">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...

With world travel coming to a screeching halt (our travel clinic has seen maybe 2 patients all summer), importation of flu from the Southern Hemisphere to the North may be slightly delayed, though likely not by much. 7/
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/12/14-135590/en/">https://www.who.int/bulletin/...

Most agree that seasonal flu superimposed upon a coronavirus pandemic has potential to be catastrophic. So even if we have a mild flu season, it’s still a good idea to have gotten vaccinated. 8/
#anchor_1591372261934">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm #anchor_1591372261934">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/seaso...

As to when, the CDC recommends in September or October. October not a good time for you? (like me when I’m booked to the gills and possibly home with kids virtual learning if schools close). Then do like me and get it now. 9/

Thankfully there is less worry about waning immunity in younger people. So I’d say save the vaccine for October if you’re older and can reliably get it then. But now is great too! And if it’s after October, still go. Better late than never. 9/
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/immunogenicity.htm">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/profe...

Most pharmacies have them now and most clinics are rolling them out over the next 2 weeks. Some practices have even gotten creative with drive through flu shot clinics

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https://www.froedtert.com/flu ">https://www.froedtert.com/flu"...

Bottom line: get your flu vaccine whenever, wherever you can.
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