It’s that season again to get your flu shots

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: It is influenza season again, so it is important to make sure your flu shots are up to date.
Health authorities say vaccination once a year is sufficient for most, but people in high- risk groups should be vaccinated twice a year.
Institute of Respiratory Medicine head Datin Dr Aziah Ahmad Mahayiddin said people with the highest risk of serious complications from flu include those above 65 years of age, adults with diabetes, chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, and those suffering from chronic kidney and blood circulation diseases and organ damage, and children six months and older.
Those who live with or care for people at high risk should also have two flu shots twice a year.
The symptoms may be similar, but flu should not be confused with the common cold.
"The flu is a highly contagious, serious viral illness that can lead to pneumonia. It can be life threatening in some cases," said Dr Aziah.
But, if you are allergic to chicken eggs, if you’ve have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past or developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of a previous shot, you should consult your doctor before having a flu shot. Babies under six months old should be taken to see a doctor first as well. If you are ill with a fever, you should wait till your symptoms lessen.
Malaysia has two flu seasons — June and October. The viruses keep changing so the vaccine is changed as well. Medical experts choose the three most common strains of the virus circulating globally each year.
They are grown in chicken eggs, then killed and purified before being made into vaccine.
"No vaccine is 100 per cent effective," says Dr Aziah. "But studies have shown the flu vaccine to be 70 to 90 per cent effective in preventing illness."
And if you do come down with flu, she adds, the infection will be less severe if you are vaccinated.