Flu cases rising in India amidst COVID-19: Should you get a flu vaccine right now? Questions answered
Will getting a flu vaccine shot be helpful right now?
Despite a decline in the total COVID-19 cases in India, there has been an unfortunate rise in flu cases in the country. While influenza is a routine virus which crops up during the seasonal change times, the cases have been observed to be severe, and longer lasting this time around, and more cumbersome than before.
Flu,
much like COVID-19, can prove to be a serious health problem, and could
also cause severity for those at a higher risk and must not be taken
lightly, or dismissed to be a 'cold'.
Flu vaccination is just as important as COVID-19 vaccination
Prompt and prioritized vaccination is one key factor which has helped us somehow get the COVID-19 crisis under control, flu vaccination is still something which still doesn't garner active awareness. With the flu season posing alarming problems, doctors are increasingly stressing on adult flu vaccinations, and kids to get flu vaccines as well, to have double defensive protection. With newer, upgraded flu vaccines available right now, we clear some key questions about the efficacy, and the importance of timely flu vaccination:
What kind of protection do flu vaccines offer? How are they different from COVID-19 jabs?
Flu vaccines are a kind of injection which offer protection from the disease spread by influenza virus. While the jabs have been pushed into use for a long time now, the flu vaccines have been clinically tried and tested to curb the severity and mortality rates with the flu infection, which can be particularly helpful for those who are at a higher risk. The efficacy of these flu vaccines has also been found to be over and above the WHO criterion. Just like COVID-19, flu can be a respiratory infection which can cause severe symptoms, including pneumonia, and reduces the overall risk of hospitalization as well.
Having said that, while both are respiratory infections caused by viruses, there are some notable differences between the vaccines. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines are built using different technologies but have the same job of training our immune system.
As for the efficacy, while there again is a considerable difference, with some experts feeling that the COVID-19 vaccines do a better job at protection and severity reduction, it's also thought that the COVID vaccine technology can help improve the protective features, workability of existing vaccines, including the flu shot.
How long does the efficacy of these jabs last?
Flu vaccines are routinely upgraded and improved to offer higher levels of protection against the infection. Since the flu virus is said to undergo mutational changes upto twice a year, vaccines are upgraded in the same manner. However, it's important to remember that the vaccines actually, only offer protection against disease for 6-7 months, and hence, should be pushed into annual immunization practice. Getting upgraded, new-improved vaccines can help guarantee the maximum protection against illness risk, and also bring down the risk of transmission.
Which type of vaccine should you get right now?
Routine changes and changes can make some vaccine types more suitable for use than others. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, using the Southern Hemisphere (SH) vaccine is the ideal one for Indian beneficiaries as the annual shot is updated with antigens prevalent and known to circulate in our part of the world and weather conditions.
Can getting the flu vaccine offer protection against COVID-19?
Even as COVID-19 and flu are similar diseases causing a range of respiratory and inflammatory symptoms, a flu vaccine doesn't directly protect one against COVID-19, and vice versa. Both are different viruses, and thinking one to be protective against the other can be a terribly bad mistake.
However, at the same time, considering the surge in flu cases being witnessed right now, and the delayed third COVID wave, getting a flu shot right now would be a wise decision to make as it can definitely help in differentiating both the diseases. Flu can be a serious disease just like COVID-19, and if precautions and treatment aren't taken in time, it could weaken immunity, prolong recovery and complicate matters if an individual happens to contract COVID at the same time. Thus, getting both the vaccines is a safer decision to make to minimize any additional risks, when a third wave is to come.
Can kids get the shot in the absence of COVID-19 vaccines?
Kids, much like elders, are at a higher risk of catching flu and seasonal infections. With schools having reopened, there's a risk of COVID-19 spread too. While we do not have COVID-19 vaccines available for kids yet, doctors have been recommending parents to get kids timely flu and other immunizations to protect them better. While on one hand, flu vaccines will help minimize flu risk and make it easier to identify COVID-19, it will also reduce the burden on pediatric hospitalization risk, which is a big fear for the third wave. However, it should be very well remembered that flu vaccines have no proven efficacy against COVID, and consulting doctors first would be helpful.
What are the different types of seasonal flu vaccines?
Flu vaccines are available in two forms-intramuscular injectable shots and intranasal sprays. While injectable shots are administered the same way as typical COVID-19 vaccines, they tend to cause more vaccine-related side-effects, whereas a intranasal vaccine is available in the form of a nasal spray which is injected into the nasal cavity and helps avoid unpleasant reactions and painful side-effects. In India, while the Serum Institute of India (SII, Pune) is working on developing an anti-flu intranasal vaccine, currently, only injectable vaccines are available.
While flu vaccines are advisable considering the public health risks, the vaccines are only available at private hospitals right now. Please note, while the vaccines are easily available, doctors' consultation and recommendations may be needed in some places.
What side-effects could you expect from getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccine together?
Major health bodies have established that getting both the flu and COVID vaccine doses together is a safe thing to be done, and poses no risk. In light of this, a lot of establishments have started offering the shots together. While majorly advantageous, there can be some side-effects which could come up if an individual gets both the vaccines together. Some side-effects could also be on the intense side.
Largely, with both the vaccines, the major side-effects which are to be expected include soreness in the arm, light to moderate fever, chills, fatigue, headache, nausea and body pain.