Q: Portland’s last flu season was very mild. Why should I get a flu shot this year?

The flu is unpredictable. Strains evolve and change each year, and the severity and impact on a particular area may vary significantly each season. The vaccine helps protect you and those around you — especially young children, vulnerable seniors, and people with weak immune systems — by reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Q: Can the shot cause the flu?

No — that’s a myth. The flu vaccine
contains inactivated flu virus or a single protein from the virus, which can’t cause infection. Any mild symptoms after vaccination are typically from your immune response, not the flu itself.

Q: Who should get the shot?

With rare exceptions, everyone aged 6 months and older should get an annual flu shot, including people who are pregnant, are elderly or have a chronic health condition.

Q: Will there be a new COVID vaccine this season?

Yes, we expect an updated COVID-19 vaccine to address the current variants.

Q: Who should get the new COVID-19 vaccine?

Everyone who is eligible should consider it — especially people who are elderly or immunocompromised, or who have underlying conditions or other risks for severe illness. The vaccine has been shown to save lives, prevent severe illness, decrease hospitalizations and reduce the risk of long COVID.

Q: Are we moving toward annual COVID shots now, just like the flu shot?

The trend seems to be moving in that direction, though it remains uncertain.

Q: How do COVID vaccines work?

The mRNA vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity. They do this by teaching your cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response to COVID-19. Once the protein is made, your cells break down the mRNA and remove it as waste, and it leaves the body.

Q: Is it safe to get both the flu and COVID shots at the same time?

Yes — studies conducted throughout the pandemic found it to be safe. It may slightly increase the risk of side effects like fatigue, headache and muscle aches, but these reactions are mostly mild and go away quickly.

Q: Which vaccinations are offered at the clinic?

We’re offering flu shots this fall, and we hope to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine, but are still waiting for release details. Check our website for updates, or ask at your local pharmacy

Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best tools we have to prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19. Stay informed and get vaccinated to keep yourself and your community safe
this season.

Tina Landeros is the director of nursing at The Portland Clinic.