Summer has already ended and fall and winter is about to come. Influenza or flu will again be a widespread phenomenon across the United States.
According to Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last Sept. 29 at the annual National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, "Yes, it is flu season again. And yes, the best way to protect yourself from coming down with the virus is still a vaccine."
The Difference Between 2015's Flu Vaccine From 2016's Flu Vaccine
The CDC has reinvented the flu vaccine and created two types of shots. The first vaccine is against the three strains of flu while the second vaccine is protection against four strains of flu.
United States has been cautious with different types of flu like the H1N1 or more commonly known as swine flu, H3N3 or avian flu and type B flu or known as seasonal flu that can affect humans. Both vaccines protect against the three, but the other one can also fight against a second type B flu virus.
Frieden encourages Americans to get vaccinated because last year, citizens disregarded the flu vaccine and forgotten how important it is that they get their vaccine to avoid sickness.
Scientists said that the antibodies take time to build up in order to fight against the influenza virus, which usually takes about two weeks as per Huffington Post. Kids ages eight and below need two shot of vaccines with at least one month in between the first and second shot.
Why are Nasal Spray and FluMist Not Recommended?
According to Buffalo News, Univera Healthcare joined the insurers in U.S. that are against the FluMist nasal spray.
"Our decision was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recent recommendation that live attenuated influenza vaccine should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season," Univera spokesman Peter Kates explained.
Also, those who wants to try FluMist is still recommended to get vaccinated according to CDC. The department still believes that the flu vaccine is still the more effective way in order to be protected against different types of flu.
