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Vaccinations Archive
Articles
Flu vaccine less effective in obese individuals
Research we're watching
Not only is obesity a risk factor for flu complications, but it might actually make the flu vaccine less effective, says a study published online June 6, 2017, by the International Journal of Obesity. Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that the flu shot provides less protection in people who are obese.
The study compared flu rates in 1,022 people during two recent flu seasons. All participants were vaccinated against the flu. The researchers looked at immune response to the vaccine and also tracked who went on to get the virus. They found that nearly 10% of obese participants got the flu, compared with 5% of their healthy-weight counterparts. This is bad news, because individuals with a body mass index of 40 or higher are also more prone to flu complications.
What’s the best time of year for a flu shot?
On call
Image: © Ildo Frazao/Thinkstock
Q. I always get an annual flu shot, but should I get it closer to the official beginning of flu season?
A. In simplest terms, the best time to get a flu shot is anytime you can. Waiting for the "perfect" time could cause you to procrastinate and miss the benefit of a yearly vaccination against the flu, which prevents 50% to 60% of the influenza infections in a typical season. But if you want to time it so it's closer to the typical flu season, October is ideal.
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
The best time to get an annual flu shot is in mid-October. However, it’s not too late to get the shot in December, since people are still at risk of getting flu for several more months.
Recent Blog Articles
Why play? Early games build bonds and brain
Moving from couch to 5K
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Tick season is expanding: Protect yourself against Lyme disease
What? Another medical form to fill out?
How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
Concussion in children: What to know and do
What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?
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