Will my childhood vaccines protect me against the flu?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:Your childhood vaccines won't protect you against the flu. You need an influenza vaccination every year. That's because the strains of flu virus that are dominant change every year, so the killed viruses in the seasonal flu shot change, too. The seasonal flu shot is available in the fall of each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that everyone over the age of 6 months get a seasonal flu vaccine.
Your childhood vaccines won't protect you against the flu. You need an influenza vaccination every year. That's because the strains of flu virus that are dominant change every year, so the killed viruses in the seasonal flu shot change, too.... More -
Dr. Alexis Abramson answered:Unfortunately when it comes to the flu, NO! As you age, the strength of your immune system decreases and some of the protection offered by childhood vaccinations also begins to decrease making you more susceptible to diseases like the flu. Since the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, the best way to prevent it is by getting a flu vaccination each year. As always, make sure you talk to your physician about this vaccination to ensure that you’re a appropriate candidate for this shot.Unfortunately when it comes to the flu, NO! As you age, the strength of your immune system decreases and some of the protection offered by childhood vaccinations also begins to decrease making you more susceptible to diseases like the flu. Since the... More -
Dr. Diana Blythe of Pediatric Associates answered:While regular childhood vaccines protect you against many diseases, they do not protect you against the flu. The only vaccine that protects you from the flu is the flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine is a yearly vaccine requiring boosters at the beginning of each flu season. Since the flu vaccine changes yearly to offer protection against that years prevalent flu strains, these booster shots are necessary for continued protection.
While regular childhood vaccines protect you against many diseases, they do not protect you against the flu. The only vaccine that protects you from the flu is the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is a yearly vaccine requiring boosters at the beginning... More
