Ask YOUR PHARMACIST

What are the benefits of getting a flu shot, and is there any specific information I should know before getting vaccinated?

QChemist Warehouse pharmacist Tim Young has this advice: In the realm of preventative healthcare, few measures are as widely recognised and recommended as the annual flu shot. While its importance may seem apparent to many, understanding the benefits of getting the influenza vaccine is crucial.

At its core, getting vaccinated protects the individual getting the vaccine by priming their immune system so they’re able to fend off infection if they come into contact with the influenza virus. Though it is still possible to catch the flu after immunisation, symptoms are less likely to be severe in people who’ve had the vaccine. Protecting yourself is only half the reason for getting the flu shot. It also contributes to the establishment of herd immunity, which occurs when a significant portion of the population becomes immune to a disease, making it less likely to spread.

An analogy for how herd immunity works can be made by using a wildfire as an example. Imagine a densely packed forest, with each tree representing a person in a community, and a single spark igniting a wildfire, representing the introduction of a contagious disease. In a poorly vaccinated population, the fire spreads rapidly because of the abundance of trees. In a well-vaccinated population, the fire encounters areas that have been previously burned or cleared, representing individuals who have developed immunity to the disease through vaccination. These cleared areas act as firebreaks and hinder the fire’s ability to jump from tree to tree, so eventually the fire struggles to keep burning.

Herd immunity is important, as it shields vulnerable groups in the community. Although the flu can impact individuals of all ages and health statuses, certain groups are more susceptible to severe illness and complications. Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems face heightened risks. For them, influenza can lead to severe respiratory problems and hospitalisation. Some of these individuals may not be able to get vaccinated themselves and therefore depend on herd immunity to help prevent them from getting the flu.

Getting a flu vaccine is a very easy process, especially since, for most people, it can be done in a pharmacy. The influenza vaccine is recommended for anyone aged from six months. However, it is important to know that although pharmacist vaccinators can vaccinate people from the age of three upwards, most pharmacies will only vaccinate from 13 years old. For everyone else, you can still get the vaccine from your doctor.

Also, make sure you are feeling well on the day and you don’t have a fever. Being healthy means that your body is able to make the best immune response to the vaccine so you are properly protected.

Tim Young has been a pharmacist for a little more than five years, and he works at Chemist Warehouse LynnMall, Auckland. He finds the job fulfilling when he sees how his interactions with patients make a positive difference to their health.