Flu shot prep: why de-stressing before influenza vaccine can increase its effectiveness
A recent study suggests being in a good mood before your flu jab can boost the vaccine’s effectiveness, with reducing stress – which produces hormones that can suppress the immune system – among methods to maintain a positive state
Can being in a good mood boost the effectiveness of your flu shot?
The short answer: Yes
The facts: As Hong Kong gears up for the start of the dreaded flu season, you might be considering getting the flu vaccine. It is not such a bad idea if you want to protect yourself from the virus.
Flu vaccine supply is effective, Hong Kong health officials insist, as they urge public to get shots
According to Dr Tony Wong, a general practitioner at The London Medical Clinic in Central, the flu vaccine works by injecting small amounts of inactivated viral particles into the body, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies persist, allowing the body to fight the influenza virus if it comes into contact with it in the future.
“Most yearly flu vaccines now protect against two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B,” Wong says. “The vaccine is available from the time of its release, around September or October, until June the following year. The sooner you’re immunised the sooner you’ll be protected, but you should delay getting the flu vaccine if you are feeling unwell and have a fever.”
Although anyone can get the flu vaccine, Wong recommends certain groups in particular should be immunised: children aged between six months and five years, pregnant women, people over 65 years old, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma, high-risk groups such as health care professionals and teachers, and frequent fliers. You should not get the flu vaccine if you have a severe egg allergy or have had an allergic reaction to a previous flu jab, he adds.
