What You Need To Know About 2021-22 Flu Season

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming flu season, it's more important than ever to take the proper precautions to avoid serious illness. There are plenty of steps you can take to lessen your chances of contracting a serious case of the flu.

Here's what you need to know about the 2021-22 flu season, and how you can protect yourself and loved ones.

What You Should Know About The Flu

The flu is a respiratory illness originating from a series of influenza viruses. Up to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu each year with varying symptoms. Some people may be asymptomatic or only have minor symptoms they attribute to a cold. However, 8 percent of the population will have more moderate to serious symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Cough

With COVID-19 still present, it?s more important than ever to take proper care in protecting yourself and others against the flu and other diseases. Complications can arise from serious flu cases, such as the illness turning into pneumonia. Having both illnesses at the same time can be particularly dangerous.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 2019 and 2020, 38 million people caught the flu, and there were 22,000 flu-related deaths. People with obesity, young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, those with underlying conditions and the immunocompromised are at increased risk of these complications from both the flu and the coronavirus.

Here are a few ways to stop the spread of illnesses such as the flu and COVID-19:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water.
• Stay home when you?re sick.
• Avoid others when you?re sick.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.

Should You Get The Flu Shot?

Getting the flu vaccine (also known as the flu shot) is one way you can protect yourself from the flu. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for those 6 months and older with few exceptions such as those with allergies to the ingredients in the vaccine or the vaccine itself. The flu shot works by giving your body the chance to build up an immune response against the flu virus by producing antibodies. Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, there?s less of a chance you?ll have a severe reaction.

The GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program Can Help You Find Low Prices For Flu Shots

Looking to get your flu shot? GoodRx offers a flu vaccine finder that can help you find one for a low price, if not covered by your insurance. The GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program has partnered with various pharmacies including Walgreens and Albertsons and more to offer you low prices on your flu vaccine.

Prices offered through the GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program include the administrative fee, which is a fee commonly charged for giving the flu shot.The usual price for a flu vaccine can be up to $90. With the GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program, these prices can drop down to as low as $20 per vaccine. Simply bring your GoodRx coupon to a participating pharmacy and receive your flu vaccine of choice.

Still Have Questions About The Flu Shot?

As we near flu season this year, being knowledgeable about this respiratory illness is another way to be proactive in keeping you and your loved ones safe. Additionally, tools such as the GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program ensure that if you plan to get the flu vaccine, you can do so in an efficient and cost effective way.

Here are six frequently asked questions about the flu vaccine.

1. Why Is It Recommended To Get The Flu Vaccine Each Year?

As the flu virus spreads from person to person, parts of the flu virus change or mutate each flu season. The flu vaccine is varied each year to accommodate these changes. For this reason, the CDC recommends children and adults receive the flu vaccine every season.

The flu shot you may have received last year won?t help you fight this year?s flu virus. Additionally, the antibodies your body has created through the vaccine need to be strengthened each year, even if the flu virus didn?t change.

2. I?m Healthy ? Why Do I Need The Flu Shot?

Every person is at risk for serious symptoms caused by the flu. As mentioned above, some groups have a higher risk of this than others. However, the chances of dying or getting seriously ill lessens once someone gets the flu shot. For example, the flu vaccine lessens the chance of hospitalization in people 65 or older.

3. Is The Flu Vaccine Effective?

It?s estimated that the flu shot is between 40 to 60 percent effective. The true numbers depend on how well the strain of the flu virus is matched to the vaccine. Researchers have to take an educated guess on the next flu season?s strain to properly develop the next vaccine. The flu shot?s effectiveness also depends on how the person will respond to the vaccine according to qualities such as age, underlying conditions and current health.

4. How Long Does Immunity Last With The Flu Shot?

One study showed the effectiveness of the flu shot lessened over 18 months, while another showed antibodies remained high throughout the flu season. While these studies are promising, the true answer is unclear and being researched further.

5. When Should I Get The Flu Vaccine?

Experts recommend people get the flu vaccine at least two weeks before flu cases start rising in their geographic area. In the United States, flu season usually begins in the fall season, and the vaccine is available starting in September.

6. What Is The High-Dose Flu Vaccine?

The high-dose flu vaccine is available for adults 65 and older as an option to the regular flu shot. As we age, our immune systems need more assistance in fighting off serious illness. A high-dose flu vaccine is known as a quadrivalent vaccine, as it holds four different strains of the influenza virus. The strains of virus in this shot are inactive, meaning you won?t get sick with the flu when taking the shot. As with a regular flu shot, this vaccine is updated yearly to adapt to the new flu season.

Studies have shown the high-dose flu vaccine is better than a regular flu shot at protecting those over the age of 65. This flu shot is only FDA approved for these individuals. If you?re allergic to eggs, talk to your doctor about receiving the high-dose flu vaccine and other flu vaccines. If your pharmacy doesn?t have a high-dose flu vaccine in stock, a regular flu vaccine will still offer protection from the flu.

Ready to schedule your flu shot? Visit the GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program website to find an affordable flu shot at a pharmacy near you.