Dr's advice regarding flu shots (swine and reg.)

[lynxstch]

my husband went to the Dr for his annual check up this morning..he works as a resident counselor and care giver for a group home..he also has an implanted defibrillator..his regular Dr this morning gave him a pneumonia shot, told him to call in late Oct to see if the swine flu shot is available yet, (his cardiologist is telling ALL of his patients to obtain one)..and to wait till AFTER that one for a regular flu shot..she said flu shots only last 4 months..and that peak flu season is January.
Just thought I would post that information for anyone who needed it!

 

[tinatark]

hmm... wonder why other medical providers say the flu shot protects you for 1 year...

 

[golfgal]

We never get the seasonal flu vaccine until mid-Nov. Flu season here peaks in Feb but has gone as late as March/April. One year it hit so late that people were getting the flu even after being vaccinated (it was the right vaccine for the strain going around just hit too late). If you live in the south, the seasonal flu is already there, usually we don't see our first case until mid-nov, which is when we go and get our shots.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Never heard it lasts for 4 months. DH got his flu shot a couple weeks ago. The pediatrician gave my kids the flu shot today and the hospital I work for is starting to vaccinate all the employees next week.

 

[debbi801]

Our doctors have told us the 4 month rule, too. They've suggested beginning of November. In 2000, I got the flu shot too early. I wound up getting the flu the end of May. When I questions how I was able to contract the flu after getting a flu shot, the doctor explained that that vaccine was only good for about 4 months.

Not sure why you were told a year.

 

[suzannen]

According to the CDC's "Inactivated Influenza Vaccine What You Need to Know 2009-10" - Under Section 2 Inactivated influenza vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf

"It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the shot. Protection lasts up to a year."

 

[EthansMom]

I've always heard the shot takes 2 weeks to be effective and then lasts a year. Why would they even make a shot that only works half the time it's needed?

However, when I scheduled my shot, the receptionist tried to convince me to put it off, saying, "it's only good for a few months". I'm sorry, but I trust the CDC more than the receptionist at the Drs. office.

 

[EthansMom]

Our doctors have told us the 4 month rule, too. They've suggested beginning of November. In 2000, I got the flu shot too early. I wound up getting the flu the end of May. When I questions how I was able to contract the flu after getting a flu shot, the doctor explained that that vaccine was only good for about 4 months.

Not sure why you were told a year.

You likely contracted a different strain of flu than the ones you were inncolated against. The vaccine is only good for a few strains each year. They make an educated guess as to which strains will be most prevalent and then manufacture the vaccine to cover only those strains.

 

[golfgal]

I've always heard the shot takes 2 weeks to be effective and then lasts a year. Why would they even make a shot that only works half the time it's needed?

However, when I scheduled my shot, the receptionist tried to convince me to put it off, saying, "it's only good for a few months". I'm sorry, but I trust the CDC more than the receptionist at the Drs. office.

Because the influenza is USUALLY around for only 1/2 a year or less. Even the CDC says "UP TO" a year but from what I have been told by most dr's the effectiveness of the vaccine wears off by March or so depending on when you get the shot.