Tis the season – influenza season. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive an influenza vaccine each year, preferably by the end of October. But even if you haven’t done so yet, it’s not too late to protect yourself, your family, your community, and the pigs you care for by getting vaccinated today! Did you know you can get an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time? Whether you’re in for a booster or need your first dose, it is safe to receive vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza at the same time.
Remember that "the flu shot" protects you from influenza–a severe and potentially life threatening respiratory viral infection, not diarrhea and vomiting. Below are a few reminders why influenza vaccination is important:
- Too busy to be down? Influenza vaccination can keep you from getting sick.
- Influenza vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and influenza-related health care visits each year. During 2019-2020, influenza vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.
- Influenza vaccines reduce the severity of illness.
- Influenza vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with certain chronic health conditions.
- Pediatric deaths caused by influenza reached a new high during 2019-2020. The majority of deaths occurred in those unvaccinated.
- More than 20,000 children are hospitalized (overnight stay, not outpatient visit) each year. Children younger than 5 are at the highest risk of serious and life-threatening complications from influenza.
- Pregnant women who are vaccinated are 40% less likely to be hospitalized from influenza.
- Influenza can be zoonotic with bidirectional spread between people and pigs. Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people and pigs around you.
- The Pork Quality Assurance® Plus Program continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination of people who work with swine.
- In a paper presented during the 2021 AASV Annual Meeting, Dr. Gustavo Lopez said, "IAV-infected people (when acting as biological vectors) can infect pigs and introduce novel IAV strains into pig farms. This is considered one of the key drivers of IAV diversity in swine." He summarized, "Preventing introduction of new IAV strains and stopping the spread of endemic strains within herds is critical for the long-term control of IAV in pigs."
The single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza is to get vaccinated each year. The flu shot is safe and does not cause influenza. Encourage your friends, family, coworkers, and clients to take advantage of influenza vaccination as an important preventive tool.
Need help finding a vaccine? Most pharmacies (Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, HyVee etc.) offer COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. Most insurance companies will cover the cost 100%.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season by protecting yourself, your family, your friends, your community, and the pigs you care for.
[Source: Vaccine benefits]