HEALTH: Flu Season Is Returning to Georgia. Here’s What Families Should Know About This Year’s Vaccines

By: R.L. Felipe Lobelo, MD, PhD, FAHA, Kaiser Permanente Georgia

Every fall, as kids head back to school and our calendars fill up with practices, projects and pickups, the flu quietly starts making its rounds. As a doctor, I see it every year. A parent comes in tired, a toddler has a fever and suddenly the whole household is out of sync for a week. I want to help your family stay ahead of it this season with a flu vaccination which is recommended every year for nearly everyone 6 months of age and older.

There’s good news to share. This fall, for the first time, Georgians can get a new kind of flu vaccine made with mRNA technology. The vaccine uses mRNA to give your cells temporary instructions that help your immune system learn to recognize influenza. It uses the same general technology many of us became familiar with through COVID-19 vaccines.

Before we talk about what’s new, let’s remember why flu protection matters. For families, staying ahead of the flu can mean fewer missed school days, fewer disruptions to work and activities and more opportunities to enjoy the season together. Vaccination remains one of the best ways to help protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination not only lowers the chance of getting sick, studies also show it can reduce the severity of illness, hospitalization and death when breakthrough infections occur.

The New Shot, in Plain Words

mFLUSIVA is the first mRNA flu vaccine approved in the United States and is authorized for adults 50 and older. In a large clinical trial, it provided greater protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza than the standard-dose flu vaccine used as the comparison. For adults 65 and older, however, current guidance still preferentially recommends high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant flu vaccines when they are available.

I want to be clear about one thing. This new shot is a helpful option, not a replacement. Families often ask me which vaccine is “best.” For most people, the best flu vaccine is an age-appropriate one you can get in September or October and if October passes, it is still worth getting vaccinated later in the season.

What It Costs and Who Should Go First

Cost should not stand in the way of getting vaccinated. Most insurance plans cover flu shots at no charge and the Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines to families who qualify. Kaiser Permanente members can get vaccinated at no extra cost during a regular visit or at a flu shot clinic.

Some people are more likely to experience complications from the flu, so these groups should make vaccination a priority:

 - Children under 5, especially babies and toddlers under 2

 - Adults 65 and older

 - Pregnant women

 - People living with ongoing health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease

Some children ages 6 months through 8 years need two doses at least four weeks apart, depending on their previous flu vaccinations. If you are unsure, ask your child’s doctor.

Please Don’t Wait

Your body needs about two weeks after the shot to build up protection, so earlier is better. The flu usually peaks between December and February and getting vaccinated by the end of October is ideal. Still, it’s never too late to get vaccinated during flu season.

This year brings a real first in flu protection, but the heart of it hasn’t changed. A few minutes at a clinic can mean more school days, fewer sick days and more healthy time together with the people you love.

Talk with your doctor about which vaccine is right for you and your family. Then roll up your sleeves and take a simple step toward a healthier fall and winter.