You’ve been warned—this one will be worse than the last

Jodie Vanderslot | Health Editor

Featured image: It’s that time of year again. | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

It seems that almost every year, we hear “this winter will be worse than the last,” suggesting this flu season, too, will be worse than its predecessor.

Health officials are cautioning patients about a potentially miserable flu season. The happenings in the Southern Hemisphere are good predictors of what’s to come for the North (hopefully not the Lannisters).

This year, those residing in the Southern Hemisphere—specifically in Australia—were affected for months with the notorious flu strain H3N2.

Seasonal flu activity tends to initiate as early as October and November, taking up temporary residency and staying until as late as May. The unwelcome guest H3N2 is much more severe than other strains, especially for those who are over the age of 65, infants, or pregnant. The outbreaks share many similarities to the common flu strain, H1N1—however, they tend to last longer and be more severe, in turn carrying a much higher mortality rate.

There are various flu viruses that circulate every year, with some being more prominent and powerful than others. The vaccine is created based on what research predicts will be the most common virus this season. The flu shot injects a small dose of the virus into your bloodstream, causing antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against the infection and build up a tolerance and awareness of the virus, making your body able to protect against the indicated influenza strains this season.

This year, three types of influenza are expected to spread: A (H1N1, H3N2), B, and C.

Medical recommendations are that all persons receive the flu shot. Those at high risk of flu-related complications are urged to be vaccinated immediately—the elderly, children under five, pregnant women, those with underlying respiratory or cardiac conditions, and those working with any of the above individuals.

In some workplaces and programs, such as at York’s School of Nursing, it is mandatory that students receive and submit proof of their flu vaccine by a specific date. For those with allergies, the vaccine contains small amounts of formaldehyde and thimerosal, though these doses should not cause any allergic reactions.

Formaldehyde, which helps digest food, is used to deactivate viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the effectiveness of the vaccine. Thimerosal is a preservative used when administering multi-dose vials of the vaccine, which keeps them free from contamination of ethyl mercury.

However, this ingredient is not present in a single, pre-filled syringe, nor a FluMist dose.

All vaccines provided by Ontario are now aluminum-free, and are now safe for those with egg allergies and sensitivities.

If you have experienced a mild reaction due to an egg allergy in the past, having had shown any symptom other than hives, it is still recommended that you receive the vaccine.

You cannot get the flu from this shot. The risks from the injected vaccine are few, including temporary soreness in the arm, and less common symptoms include mild fever and aches.

However, the vaccine should be avoided if you have anaphylactic allergies to these ingredients (except eggs), or have experienced a serious allergic reaction or developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (a rare illness) from a previous flu shot.

Flu shots are available on campus at Appletree in York Lanes during regular operating hours—however, due to the high volume of patients, wait times are longer, and the clinic will be busier than normal. Due to this increase, registration can close two to three hours before the actual hours of closing time.

Walk-in clinics, as well as most Shopper’s Drug Mart locations, will also administer the dose.