In order to meet the needs of our community during COVID-19, Sona is offering a curbside flu clinic now through October.
Book your curbside or in-store flu shot with the link below!
ONLINE FLU FORM
Flu season is here! With several different types of flu vaccines available, our pharmacists often get questions like “Which vaccine should I get?”
Let’s discuss some of the differences seen in flu vaccines:
Inactivated vs. live vaccines
Most flu vaccines are inactivated, meaning they are made up of killed virus or broken up pieces of the flu virus. Any vaccine that is given by injection is inactivated. There is a live attenuated or weakened, version of flu vaccines that are only available via nasal injection. Neither live nor inactivated vaccines can cause the flu and are appropriate options for most people.
Number of Strains
Flu vaccines help to protect you against A/B strains of the flu and contain either three (trivalent) or four (quadrivalent) strains of the flu. The composition of flu vaccines is chosen based on research that helps predict which strains will be most common during the upcoming flu season.
Vaccines for 65+ Years Old
There are vaccines formulated for people aged 65 years and older that are either high-dose (contain 4 times the flu antigen) or adjuvanted (boosted). High-dose and adjuvanted vaccines are made to help create a stronger immune response and offer better protection against the flu.
So, which vaccine is right for me?
For 2020-2021, ACIP recommends a flu vaccine for anyone 6+ months old that is appropriate for their age and health status. No preference for one vaccine over another is given. Many healthcare professionals will opt for a high-dose or adjuvant vaccine for 65+ years old and a regular quadrivalent flu shot for patients less than 65 years old. The CDC recommends receiving your flu vaccine by the end of October.
If you have questions about the differences in flu vaccines, ask your pharmacist at Sona or another healthcare provider!
