Some nasty viruses are heading our way once again - and no, their names don’t start with C. As things get cold and flu season approaches, Critic Te Arohi spoke to Otago Uni expert Dr. Lucy Telfar-Barnard about why students should be ready to roll up their sleeves one more time.
Dr. Telfar-Barnard, who’s based in the Department of Public Health in Otago Uni’s Wellington campus, said that getting your flu shot is even more important this year than most. She said that Covid lockdowns have pretty much crushed the flu for the last two years, which has prevented immunity from building up in the population. “The things we did to get rid of Covid got rid of the flu as well, which is great. But now here we are, not having had it for two years, and now we have to be prepared for it.”
Similar to the Covid vaccine, the shots give two types of protection, she added: “Protection for yourself, and protection that other people get from you being vaccinated.” This is particularly important as, unlike the Covid vaccine, the flu shot is not freely available for most people.
Otago Uni students can get their shots for free at Student Health, and they’re available right now. Some others can as well, such as over 65s, Māori and Pacific people over 55, those who are pregnant and those with underlying health conditions. However, for everyone else, getting a flu shot will set you back anywhere between $20-50 at a pharmacy or GP. This means having your shot will also protect people who can’t get it because they can’t afford it, as well as those who may be allergic to it.
Having your shot is fantastic, said Dr. Telfar-Barnard, but it does not make you superhuman. Cold weather brings lots of nasty bugs. “The flu is just one of the viruses going around in winter that does have a vaccine, which is great. But there are still others.” She emphasised it was still important to keep your masks on, and try to keep places warm and well-ventilated if you can, to minimise the spread of disease.
With plenty of practice getting their Covid jabs, Dr. Telfar-Barnard hoped that students will see the flu vaccines as a piece of cake. ”We know now that it’s just a needle in the arm… we really need to get used to the idea that vaccination is something you do regularly.”
And in case you’re wondering: yes, it is generally safe to reward yourself with a shot after your shot. You may feel a bit woozier after, though, so watch out for that.