No excuses to get a flu vaccine! Listen in!!

What is the flu?

Influenza (the Flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. Flu virus is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with the flu. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

In general, anyone anyone over 6 months of age who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. The single BEST WAY to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall.

What sort of flu season is expected this year?
Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity, and length of the epidemic depends on many factors, including what influenza viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine. The flu season saw the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu"). This virus caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease caused by a new flu virus) in more than 40 years. While not certain, it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the U.S. during the next flu season.

Will new strains of flu circulate this season?
Flu viruses are constantly changing so it's not unusual for new flu virus strains to appear each year.

When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can occur as late as May.

What should I do to prepare for this flu season?
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone anyone over 6 months of age as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. Getting the flu vaccine soon after it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season.

How effective is the flu vaccine?
The effectiveness of the vaccine can vary and depends in part on the match between the viruses in the vaccine and flu viruses that are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is higher. If they are not closely matched, VE can be reduced. During well-matched years, clinical trials have shown VE between 70% and 90% among healthy adults.

What is CDC doing to monitor vaccine effectiveness for the flu season?
CDC carries out and collaborates with other partners within and outside CDC to assess the effectiveness of flu vaccines. During the flu season, CDC plans multiple studies on the effectiveness of influenza vaccine. These studies measure vaccine effectiveness in preventing laboratory confirmed influenza in older people and in children.

What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against the flu this season?
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. In addition, you can take everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.

Is there treatment for the flu?
Yes. If you get sick, there are drugs that can treat flu illness. They are called antiviral drugs and they can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.

What is antiviral resistance?
Antiviral resistance means that a virus has changed in such a way that the antiviral drug is less effective in treating or preventing illness. Samples of viruses collected from around the United States and worldwide are studied to determine if they are resistant to any of the four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs.

What is CDC doing to monitor antiviral resistance in the United States during the flu season?
CDC routinely collects viruses through a domestic and global surveillance system to monitor for changes in influenza viruses. CDC will continue ongoing surveillance and testing of influenza viruses. Additionally, CDC is working with the state public health departments and the World Health Organization to collect additional information on antiviral resistance in the United States and worldwide. The information collected will assist in making informed public health policy recommendations.

For more information, visit the CDC flu page or the IDPH flu page.

 

 

Resources

 

Proper Handwashing Poster

3 Cs Flu Prevention Poster

Take 3 Actions to Fight the Flu Poster

Seasonal Flu: A Guide for Community & Faith-based Organizations & Leaders, is a helpful and easy-to-use resource for faith and community leaders.

Faith & Communities Fight Flu, can be used as a bulletin or newsletter insert or on a community bulletin board.