Flu shots before you go to WDW?

[WDWisTheBest]

Based on latest information, you might want to make sure that your family has those flu shots about 14 days before arriving.

As long as you and the other visitors in your group can get the shot, better to have an ounce of prevention. There are lots of people visiting from all over the planet, so you might want to be prepared.

This is not meant to scare anyone, but just to remind that prevention is the prudent policy normally.

 

[Horizons16]

the one time i got the shot, i got the flu... i guess im in that special percentage huh!

 

[dvc guy]

Got my yesterday, no problems, every year DW gets the shot she gets sick.
DD 11, DS 7 are getting the shot tomorrow, We head out on the 23rd.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We didn't get the flu shot last year and of course our first full day back from WDW this past January, we both came down with the flu!

Guess who got the flu shot this year!!!???

 

[PamOKW]

Good point. We've had a surge in reported cases here in CT and they are saying it's probably folks who traveled over Thanksgiving and brought the bug back.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

But, it does not cause the flu because it is inactivated vaccine.
Here is something the CDC says about taking the shots now:
"You can still benefit from getting a flu shot after November, even if flu is present in your community. Vaccine should continue to be offered to unvaccinated persons throughout the flu season as long as vaccine is still available. Once you get a flu shot, your body makes protective antibodies in about two weeks. The annual supply of inactivated influenza vaccine and the timing of its distribution cannot be guaranteed in any year."

The key word is "inactivated".

Here is what the CDC also says about getting the flu after getting a flu shot:
"Yes. The ability of a flu shot to protect a person depends on two things: 1) the age and health status of the person getting the shot, and 2) the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. When the "match" between vaccine and circulating strains is close, flu vaccine prevents influenza in about 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than age 65 years. Among elderly persons living outside chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and those persons with long-term (chronic) medical conditions, flu vaccine is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, flu vaccine is most effective in preventing severe illness, secondary complications, and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the vaccine can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu. "

This year, after the vaccine was made, a mutated strain became evident, for which protection is not available. But, wouldn't you like to have protection against most strains out there?

 

[phamton]

I was assuming that horizon was not saying the flu shot caused the flu but even though he/she received the shot they still got the flu that year anyway. Surely no one really believes that the flu shot causes the flu.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I don't think horizons16 thought that, but many people do.
As a front line emergency care worker, I am constantly surprised to hear patients say that they got the flu after getting the shot.

Of course, we are talking about inactivated vaccine. With the live virus, given by nasal spray to those healthy patients under 50 yrs and over 5yrs, symptoms can be exhibited. The CDC says:
"What is the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) (trade name FluMistTM)?
LAIV is a new influenza vaccine that was licensed in 2003. It is different from the already licensed influenza vaccine (also called the "flu shot") because LAIV contains weakened live influenza viruses instead of killed viruses and is administered by nasal spray instead of injection."

Comparing the two vaccines, the CDC says:
"Is one type of influenza vaccine better than the other?
There have been no studies large enough to compare the FluMistTM brand LAIV with inactivated influenza vaccine. However, studies with other live influenza vaccines (not FluMistTM) and inactivated vaccine have demonstrated no difference in benefit between the two vaccines."

I didn't want to make this bigger than it is, but perhaps some visitors to WDW will want to know about this.
Come on down and enjoy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Even though it's too late for me to get the shot (be there Saturday-yeah!), thanks for the reminder to be extra-vigilant with hand-washing, keeping my hands away from my face. Any other tips? And how long after exposure do you become symptomatic? Since it's supposed to be especially active here in Texas, I could be bringing it to WDW with me. Oh,oh!

 

[Efastpitch]

got it!

 

[JessicaR]

I watched the news this morning and saw how bad it is this year. Its too late for us to get the shot and be effective before heading to Disney. I am upset that is the case! I will have to be extra careful and make sure hand washing is increased. I think I'm more concerned about the plane there and back. Thanks for posting this.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

It is not to late if you don't want to be sick over the holidays!
This are several big threads in the last couple of days on the CB about this:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=473161

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=473953

 

[diznee25]

I will have to be extra careful and make sure hand washing is increased. I think I'm more concerned about the plane there and back.

My fiancee' and I are taking the same precautions as well. We leave for WDW in about a week, and are washing our hands frequently, and using hand sanitizer for when washing hands isn't convienant. (sp?) We also have been taking multi-vitiamns, as well as vitiamn C tablets everyday to build up our immune systems.

We're not sick, so this seems to be working for us!

(I do agree that the flu shot is the best prevention. But I don't like needles, so I go this route!)
Diznee25

 

[WDWisTheBest]

It is great that you are not sick, but, even though you don't like needles, it certainly is nice to know that you have protection against the flu.

Here is something that the CDC says:
"Will this year's flu vaccine protect me from the flu?

Influenza viruses are changing all the time, and vaccine effectiveness depends, in part, on the match between vaccine strains and circulating viruses. Although the A (H3N2) strain in this year’s flu vaccine is somewhat different from the main circulating strain causing illness in the United States so far, laboratory studies indicate that the vaccine should still provide some cross-protection against the circulating A (H3N2) strain.

Because flu viruses are already circulating in some communities, it’s even more important to get the vaccine now."

Isn't the flu very prevalent in Colorado now? Are you in Colorado?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

http://www.emergencyemail.org/cdc/

 

[sap1227]

I am not saying do not wash your hands (in fact please do), but remember that unlike a cold, the flu is passed easily through the air and does NOT require contact with the "carrier". I hope everyone stays well!

Christy

 

[Muffy]

We all got the flu shot a few weeks ago. why risk the flu?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Here is how the flu is spread:
"How the Influenza Virus Is Passed Around
The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza. Influenza may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it – a door handle, for instance – and then touches his or her nose or mouth. "

There was a segment just on MSNBC talking about the vaccine supply. Even though 85 million shots were manufactured, there may be localized outages of the vaccine. Enough was made, but your local doctor or health department may have short-term delays in obtaining needed supplies.


There is no need for any panic about supply, but, if you are thinking about getting the shots soon, I would suggest that you make appointments for your family now so that you make sure the supply is available for them.