? about flu shot?

I know this might be a stupid question, but I got mine in the beginning of sept. My dr. had them so I went ahead and got mine. I have asthma, so it's essential I get them. When I got the shot, I was on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I went to a clinic yesterday because I have another sinus infection and they asked if I got my flu shot. When I said I got it back in sept., they said I got it way too early and I still have a good chance of getting the full blown flu. I thought the shot was good for a year. Did I get it too soon?

Thanks. The person I saw yesterday was just a nurse practioner. She told me the best time to get one was nov. They said the flu season started late here in Tx. My son also got his in sept. Does taking antibiotics interfere with the flu shot?

This is not a stupid question at all. Flu shots are available between Sept. and February. However, the best time is between November and January. This does NOT mean it will not be affective if you got it in September. It does last for a year. The reason they may have said that it was too early may be because your body built up an immunity a bit early. Which means you could have SOME fluLIKE symptoms. But you are not likely to get the flu. Of corse, you are asthmatic, which always makes you more vulnerable to catching ANY respiratory illness. Keep getting those shots every year. But try to push it out a bit next year, just in case. But I repeat, the flu shot will still be affective.
Here's to your health!

They're full of BS. The flu shot that you received should be fine for protecting you against this year's strain of the flu. You did not get it too soon. I got mine in October, and I work in a hospital.

you should be fine for this month and some of next month, though try getting it around October, November, because during the winter months, were everyone is more confined to be inside because of the weather, you are more likely to contract it. I have never heard of it lasting a year, but I think it might vary from year to year related to mutation of the virus.

The flu shot DOES cover you for one year, and antibiotics DO NOT interfere with the effectiveness of the flu shot.

My son has asthma, so for many years the whole family got flu shots to help him out. His doctor prefered that we all got the shots the first week he had them available, which was usually the last week in September or the first week in October. He told me that a person, like my son, who's illness was intensified by having the flu, should receive the flu shot, earlier, rather than later.

The issue that is going on this year is that the flu season is incredibly late - in the past, the flu starts to appear - Nov/Dec. this year, it hasn't really started to hit until end of Jan/Feb.

The vaccine is good for the flu season (not a whole year - the season runs nov- apr/may); if you get it too early, then some of the immunity will wear off and you might get some symptoms. However, it is kind of a catch 22 - if you wait to get the vaccine, the season might be early and you could get the flu (which is bad, especially since you have asthma); if you get it too early - the season might be late and you have less immunity.

The NP could have explained it better. If you get the flu, it will either be a lessor, shorter case (your body will still be able to resist it quicker) or you will get a strain that is not included in the vaccine (there are tons of strains - the vaccine gives immunization against the most prevelant of the previous year)

Next year - try to wait a month or so before getting the vaccine - sometime in october would be ok. But you should be ok.