Got our flu shots

We went to Walmart this a.m. and it was chaos, but there were only a
few people in front of us and we got our shots. I had always been
told they were most effective for the whole flu season if you got them
in Nov. but the sheet given to us with care info said that people over
50 should get their shot in Oct. No reason was given though. Just
thought I'd let you know for those of you who might be waiting.
I wish they would have explained why we should get them earlier
though.

Lonestar...

I got mine 3 weeks ago at a Kroger Grocery store. With my Secure
Horizons Medicare Advantage Policy, it was free.
Robert

**Dalin**...

mmj1...

I'm planning to go to Walgreens October 30th if I don't chicken out.

Jean B....

Yay! Also the problem seems to be you get them when you can.
If you put it off until the ideal time, you may not be able
to find them.

High Miles...

Because it may take a bit longer for us to build the antibodies
and the flu season doesn't have a calendar to run by.
Getting them now gives more assurance of effectiveness before
the bug moves in.

**Dalin**...

But the immunity only last for a certain number of weeks so it seems
we would be more in danger if the flu hits in Feb. I guess it's all a
gamble. I plan on staying out of crowds. :-)

High Miles...

Always a good practice.
There's a lot more than influenza to be caught at Walmart.
Or at the movie theater for that matter.

Joy...

The CDC doesn't say that. I think it's an urban legend. This is from the
CDC website:

Vaccination in October and November
The optimal time for vaccination efforts is usually during
October--November. In October, vaccination in provider-based settings should
start or continue for all patients---both high risk and healthy---and extend
throughout November. Vaccination of children aged 6 months--<9 years who are
receiving vaccine for the first time should also begin in October, if not
done earlier, because those children need a booster dose 4--10 weeks after
the initial dose, depending upon whether they are receiving inactivated
influenza vaccine or LAIV.

If supplies of inactivated influenza vaccine are not adequate, ACIP
recommends that vaccine providers focus their vaccination efforts in
October, primarily on persons aged >50 years, persons aged <50 years at
increased risk for influenza-related complications (including children aged
6--59 months), household contacts of persons at high risk (including
out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged 0--59
months), and health-care workers. Efforts to vaccinate other persons who
wish to decrease their risk for influenza virus infection should not begin
until November; however, if such persons request vaccination in October,
vaccination should not be deferred, unless vaccine supplies dictate
otherwise.

Although the timing of influenza activity can vary by region, vaccine
administered after November is likely to be beneficial in the majority of
influenza seasons. Adults have peak antibody protection against influenza
virus infection 2 weeks after vaccination.

It was free for us too, but we do pay that monthly fee to Medicare so
it's not really free.