Hello, I am Dr. Jasmine Zapata!
And I have an amazing, amazing friend here with me today.
Introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Venus Washington,
and I'm with the COVID-19 UW Grant.
I can't wait to ask some questions to Dr. Zapata.
And it's all related to the flu vaccine.
So first one: is it too late in the season to get the flu shot now?
What's the best time to get it?
Now, ideally, you would want to get it in September or October,
so you have the most protection, but it is not too late to still get the flu vaccine.
Because you know what, the flu season can go all the way to April or even May,
and it usually peaks even around January.
It's not too late to get the flu vaccine.
I'm a healthy adult, why should I get the flu shot?
Even if you're a healthy adult, when you get the flu shot, it could decrease your chances
of number one getting the flu, and then even
when you do get the flu, it can make it not be as severe.
It also reduces your risk of hospitalization and death.
In addition, even if you're a healthy adult when you get the flu shot,
it's actually protecting other people around you,
such as people who have weakened immune systems, children and the older population as well.
Even if you're a healthy adult, it's really important to get the flu shot.
Next question.
The flu shot is 40 to 50% effective, is this true or false?
Explain.
The real answer is, it depends.
Everybody's unique immune system is very different.
Different people, it will be effective in different ways.
But even when we look at how effective it is, it's really important to remember.
Even if you still do get the flu by getting the flu shot,
it decreases the severity of the symptoms.
So it depends how effective it is per person,
and depending on that strain for that year, but it's still really important to get it.
The flu shot gives you the flu.
Is this true or false?
Explain.
The answer is the flu shot gives you an inactive version of the virus.
It's not going to give you those severe lung symptoms
or that cough or things like that.
But it shows your body in an active version of the virus.
And that's really important so that when your body does come in contact with the real virus,
it can recognize it and fight it.
Pregnant women shouldn't get the flu shot.
Is this true?
Oh my goodness, that is such a good question.
Should pregnant women get the flu shot?
And you know, I love the babies because that's what I do.
I run to deliveries, take care of newborn babies.
Yes, pregnant women should get the flu shot.
It's so important because some studies show
that if pregnant women get the flu it increases their chance of a miscarriage.
And that's something very serious.
Pregnant women should definitely get the flu shot.
I got the flu shot and was sick from vomiting, what happened here?
The stomach flu, the real name for that is something called gastroenteritis.
And what that is, is irritation of your stomach and your intestines.
It can cause you to be nauseous, vomit, have diarrhea.
That gastroenteritis is the cause of the stomach flu.
And that's totally separate and different than the seasonal flu,
which we're getting the flu shot for.
Now, the seasonal flu, the real name for that is influenza.
And that can cause issues with cough.
It can cause issues with your lungs, cause pneumonia, caused a lot of fatigue
and even hospitalization and death.
When we get the flu shot, it's protecting against influenza.
It has nothing to do with gastroenteritis when you have diarrhea or things like that.
Well, Venus, I am so glad that you took the time
to spend time today with me and ask these questions.
They're real good.
Yeah. So did you get the flu shot?
Yes! I got the flu shot!
You know, I'm a big baby.
I actually, have to pinch myself or call my mama because I'm scared
of shots! But I got the flu shot.Yes I did.
Did you get your flu shot?
Well, actually no.
I was worried about it because of the COVID-19 and I was waiting for my doctor
but really talking to you about it, it really let go of all
of those false narratives that I had in my head.
So I'm really going to go get one now.
That's amazing.
You definitely, it's not too late to get your flu shot.
It's not too late for anybody watching this to get their flu shot. And especially what's going
on with COVID-19 you really want to reduce your risk of getting hospitalized.
If you get the flu shot, you can reduce your risk of getting sick and hospitalized.
And we all need to work together to combat all this.
Get that flu shot and thank you for watching.
Thank you so much.