Doctor Holding Get Your Flu Shot SignIt is more important than ever to get the influenza vaccine this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are strongly encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get the flu vaccine, especially this year, because of the similarities between flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms. Both viruses manifest as respiratory illnesses. Resources like hospital beds and ventilators, which would normally be able to accommodate a typical flu season are already being stretched thin in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, because the symptoms are similar, contracting the flu will likely mean being tested for COVID-19 and quarantining while test results come back, which will cause more people to miss work on top of testing shortages. All of these reasons make it particularly important that the public receive the influenza vaccine this year.

The flu season typically runs from October through March. The CDC recommends getting the vaccine in late September or early October so that the immunization lasts for the whole season.
Across the county, clinics and pharmacies are gearing up for a large volume of influenza vaccinations. Mobile clinics are also being used to try to reach as many people as possible – especially those who are fearful of going to hospitals or doctor’s offices at the moment.

Vaccine manufacturers are also responding to the increased demand for vaccines. It is expected that 194-198 million doses of the flu vaccine will be provided this year, which will break the previous record of 175 million doses set in 2019-2020.

Who should get the flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get an influenza vaccine every flu season. However, there are some rare exceptions.
For instance, some influenza vaccinations are approved for adults while others are approved for children. You should only receive an influenza vaccination that is appropriate for your age. Others with certain health conditions should discuss whether the influenza vaccination is appropriate with their medical provider.

For example, if you have an egg allergy, you should discuss with your doctor whether the influenza vaccine is right for you. If you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), it may not be appropriate for you to receive an influenza vaccine. Prior to receiving the flu shot, if you’ve ever had GBS, you should discuss your medical history with your medical provider. It is important to be informed before receiving any vaccination. I encourage anyone to discuss vaccine safety with their medical providers.

What happens if I am injured by the flu shot?

The influenza vaccine is very safe. Every year millions of people receive the flu shot without issue. However, on extremely rare occasions, the flu shot can result in injuries. For instance, some people who receive the influenza vaccine experience severe pain and reduced range of motion in the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered. This injury is called Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The shoulder joint becomes inflamed, which can be a very painful and limiting injury. In other cases, the flu vaccine can cause Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks the nerves causing weakness in your extremities that eventually progresses to paralysis. Most patients will regain the ability to move their extremities and walk, but not without some residual effects.

For those folks who are unfortunate enough to experience one of these injuries, the federal government has set up the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to compensate victims of vaccine injuries. As an attorney licensed with the Court of Federal Claims, I am able to pursue compensation for people who suffer these injuries. If you believe that you have been injured by a vaccine, you may be entitled to compensation. There is nothing to lose by calling an attorney to explore your options. The compensation fund pays attorneys for their fees, which means the client pays nothing. Feel free to call to set up a free consultation to discuss your options.

Special Note on SIRVA Injuries

As we have discussed extensively before, the Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rulemaking change that would remove SIRVA from the Vaccine Injury Table – making these claims much more difficult to pursue. This rule-change would likely go into effect in January or February of 2021. However, any petitions alleging SIRVA filed before the effective date of the rule change would be reviewed under the old Vaccine Injury Table. Thus, it is very important that anyone with a potential SIRVA claim explore discuss their case with an attorney as soon as possible.

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