With flu season looming over us, physicians everywhere are starting their annual effort to vaccinate as many people as possible against the influenza virus. The CDC estimates that up to 14,000 people died from the flu virus during the 2021-2022 season in the U.S., making influenza a constant threat to Americans and people worldwide.
One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from contracting the flu every year is to get a flu shot. Flu shots are proven effective in reducing the number of overall flu cases each year, reducing the severity of symptoms during active infections, reducing the number of flu-related hospitalizations, and reducing complications for people with certain health conditions. Flu vaccines are especially important for pregnant women and children.
Flu Shots and Egg Allergies
Most flu vaccines are manufactured using egg-based technology, meaning tiny amounts of egg proteins like ovalbumin are present in each vaccine dose. This amount of egg protein is so small that it is unlikely to have any effect on vaccine recipients, regardless of whether they have an allergy or not. Therefore, flu shots are considered safe for almost everyone, including those with egg allergies. If you are still worried about receiving the flu shot with an egg allergy, there are two brands that manufacture vaccines without using any eggs. Consult with your physician about using one of these egg-free options.
Who Shouldn’t Receive a Flu Shot?
There are very few situations in which the flu vaccine would not be considered safe:
- Children under 6 months old
- People with a severe, life-threatening allergy to any component of the vaccine other than eggs
- People who previously had a severe reaction to any type of flu vaccine
Flu Shots in Tampa Bay
Are you ready to get this year’s flu vaccine? If you’re in Tampa Bay, visit one of our four convenient locations to get your flu shot today. For more information, call us at (813) 874-1852 or schedule an appointment online.
