Here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu vaccine

School’s back, summer’s over, and area pharmacies are enticing customers with low-cost flu vaccinations on every corner.

Dr. Kathleen M. Neuzil, director of the Center for Vaccine Development at University of Maryland School of Medicine, and pediatrician Dr. Dan Levy answered questions about this year’s influenza vaccine.

Q: When should I get a flu shot?

A: “Flu season tends to peak out in colder months when kids are indoors coughing on each other,” Levy said.

To prepare, Neuzil advises getting a flu shot by the end of October. The vaccine takes a week or two to be effective, and those who wait may be out of luck if the flu hits early.

Children getting the flu shot for the first time need two doses, four weeks apart.

Q: Who should get a vaccine?

A: Almost everyone. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone older than 6 months get a flu vaccine.

Q: I’m healthy. Why do I need a flu shot?

A: It’s not all about you. “There are a lot of young healthy people who feel invincible and don’t believe they need the flu shot,” said Neuzil. “Remember that you’re getting an influenza vaccine to protect the people around you,” such as babies, elderly folks and those with compromised immune systems.

“The more people in a population you get covered with a vaccine, the more likely it is that you’ll prevent an epidemic,” Levy said. “If children don’t get sick themselves, they can’t spread the flu.”

Q: Is this year’s flu going to be bad?

A: Hard to say. Influenza can be a life-threatening illness, but its virulence varies from year to year. “Influenza is predictably unpredictable,” Neuzil said.

Although last year was a severe season in the United States, it was less severe in other parts of the world. Q: Can I get a nasal spray?

A: Yes. This year the nasal spray will be widely available in the United States. Neuzil says it’s just as effective as a shot for people ages 2 and older. “Traditionally the nasal spray has worked extremely well in children,” she said.

The CDC recommends the nasal spray flu vaccine as an option for non-pregnant individuals ages 2 to 49.

Q: Are there any risks associated with the flu shot?

A: No. The flu shot has been around for a long time — and scientists have studied it to prevent side effects. Common side effects include a sore arm from the shot or a runny nose from the nasal spray.

While older versions of the vaccine, perhaps 40 years ago, may have caused some side effects, modern vaccines are well-tolerated, Neuzil said.

Q: Is it possible to get the flu even after being vaccinated? A: Yes. “The vaccine is never 100 percent effective,” Levy said. Still, even for those who do end up getting the flu, the vaccine will help it be less severe.

Q: Can I get sick from the flu shot?

A: “You cannot get sick from the flu shot,” Neuzil said. “There’s no live virus there.”

A small portion of people may find that they coincidentally get a headache the following day and may be tempted to blame the vaccine. “It’s human nature to correlate the two,” she said.