Flu Vaccine Less Effective in Weaker Immune Systems
By: Rae Patterson
Updated: February 22, 2013
JOPLIN, MO.--- Karen Watts is an infection control officer at Freeman. She says it all has to do with a person's immune system when it comes to how well they respond to the flu vaccine.
"As we grow older, our immune system naturally weakens. This has been identified in years pass," states Karen Watts, Infection Control Officer, Freeman.
For those with a weaker immune system, doctors offer a higher dosage. However, it's natural for a weaker system to not respond as well.
"If you have a population who has a weakening immune system, that's why you would see a lesser response, but they've combated that with a higher dose for the population 65 and older," says Watts.
It also takes time for the flu shot to adapt to your immune system. If you were infected on Monday and did not receive the shot until Wednesday, you were too late
"Your body hasn't been given enough time to build up that immune response to the vaccine and that's why sometimes people feel like they got the flu, even though they were vaccinated, which isn't true. They just didn't get the flu vaccine early enough," states Watts.
Watts explains that a lot of patients confuse the flu with other viruses. So, it's always important to get tested. She says if you have not been vaccinated, always remember to wash your hands, especially during flu season. Freeman does encourage everyone to get the flu vaccine, because not everyone's immune system is the same.
"As we grow older, our immune system naturally weakens. This has been identified in years pass," states Karen Watts, Infection Control Officer, Freeman.
For those with a weaker immune system, doctors offer a higher dosage. However, it's natural for a weaker system to not respond as well.
"If you have a population who has a weakening immune system, that's why you would see a lesser response, but they've combated that with a higher dose for the population 65 and older," says Watts.
It also takes time for the flu shot to adapt to your immune system. If you were infected on Monday and did not receive the shot until Wednesday, you were too late
"Your body hasn't been given enough time to build up that immune response to the vaccine and that's why sometimes people feel like they got the flu, even though they were vaccinated, which isn't true. They just didn't get the flu vaccine early enough," states Watts.
Watts explains that a lot of patients confuse the flu with other viruses. So, it's always important to get tested. She says if you have not been vaccinated, always remember to wash your hands, especially during flu season. Freeman does encourage everyone to get the flu vaccine, because not everyone's immune system is the same.
