[akiddoc]

While we're on the subject of vaccine efficacy and we have a lot of experts in our midst, can anyone confirm or debunk the following:

I've been told/read that the flu shot loses its efficacy over time, and so if you are most worried about a peak flu season in Jan/Feb, you may want to wait and get the flu jab in November so that its peak efficacy overlaps with peak flu season. Is that total nonsense? For that reason, I've typically waited to get the flu shot until later in the fall, but if there's truly zero benefit to waiting, I'll take care of this now while COVID-19 case counts are lower in my community. 

Thanks!

The older you are the shorter its effectiveness. I get mine in late October every year. I haven't had a symptomatic influenza infection in at least a decade, probably longer. After 30 years of flu vaccines and catching influenza a few times when I was younger, I seem to be pretty good at fending it off. I saw at least 200 kids with positive rapid flu tests last winter (late October through February). Somehow got through the winter with zero illnesses. I wasn't using PPE at the time. Did wash my hands within seconds of seeing every patient though. Was not wearing a mask prior to mid February.

[akiddoc]

While we're on the subject of vaccine efficacy and we have a lot of experts in our midst, can anyone confirm or debunk the following:

I've been told/read that the flu shot loses its efficacy over time, and so if you are most worried about a peak flu season in Jan/Feb, you may want to wait and get the flu jab in November so that its peak efficacy overlaps with peak flu season. Is that total nonsense? For that reason, I've typically waited to get the flu shot until later in the fall, but if there's truly zero benefit to waiting, I'll take care of this now while COVID-19 case counts are lower in my community. 

Thanks!

The older you are the shorter its effectiveness. I get mine in late October every year. I haven't had a symptomatic influenza infection in at least a decade, probably longer. After 30 years of flu vaccines and catching influenza a few times when I was younger, I seem to be pretty good at fending it off. I saw at least 200 kids with positive rapid flu tests last winter (late October through February). Somehow got through the winter with zero illnesses. I wasn't using PPE at the time. Did wash my hands within seconds of seeing every patient though. Was not wearing a mask prior to mid February.