State health and aging officials are advising Pennsylvanians to get their flu shots ahead of the holidays.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich appeared a community center in Lackawanna County last week to stress that the body takes approximately two weeks to develop protective antibodies after vaccination.
The timeframe makes now an ideal opportunity to get inoculated before holiday social events commence.
“The holiday season is also respiratory virus season; as you attend social gatherings, we want you to share joy, not germs,” Bogen said. “To protect yourself and your friends and family during the holidays from a serious case of the flu please get your flu vaccine. The flu vaccine reduces your risk of infection, hospitalization and death, and reduces your chance of spreading it to others.”
The current flu vaccine has been updated to guard against new variants, and healthcare providers recommend it for all residents six months and older.
Since the start of the respiratory virus season in late September, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported 7,125 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, along with 239 adult and 87 pediatric hospital admissions. Officials noted that these numbers are comparable to those recorded at the same point in the previous two flu seasons.
Older adults, focused on those 65 and over, face an increased risk of severe illness from the flu.
“As we enter the season of holiday gatherings and travel, now is the perfect time for older adults to get their yearly vaccinations,” Kavulich said.
Kavulich said the immunizations are widely available at local pharmacies and healthcare providers.
Most insurance plans cover the flu vaccine at no cost.
For those who are uninsured or underinsured, the vaccine is available through local State Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers the flu vaccine and other routine childhood immunizations at no cost to qualifying children.
“All insured consumers can receive the flu vaccine at no cost, so long as they go to an in-network provider,” Pennsylvania Insurance Department Policy Director Caroline Beohm said. “If you’re covered, so is the flu shot.”
The flu shot is deemed especially important for high-risk individuals, including those 65 and older and people with certain underlying medical conditions.
Pennsylvanians between the ages of 2 and 49 who are eligible also have the option of a self-administered, FDA-approved nasal spray flu vaccine, which can be delivered after an online medical screening.
Respiratory viruses, including the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), share similar symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.
Officials advise contacting a healthcare provider at the first sign of illness.
Amid recent changes in federal vaccine guidance, Pennsylvania and several other states have adjusted their vaccine guidance to align with advice and data from medical professionals.
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