SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Are you sick? And does it feel like everyone around you is too? It may seem like this year's flu season is much worse than last year's, but health experts say it's actually not, it just hit late. Many people are now doubting the effectiveness of their flu shots. In an ABC 4 Health Alert, officials say flu vaccines still help, but aren't working as well as in years past.
It takes months to create a flu vaccine. Right now, scientists are constructing the vaccine for next year's flu season. The problem is viruses mutate. 16 out of the past 19 flu seasons, the vaccine has been right on. But this year, the vaccine simply doesn't match the strain going around.
“It sucks to be sick!” exclaims Suzanne Houghton, who is still fighting a month-long illness.
Utah has hit the influenza peak and many people share Houghton’s sentiment.
“This year the season has been very very slow so we didn't get too many reports until two weeks ago. And all of the sudden we saw a sharp increase in influenza like illnesses,” states Dr. Dagmar Vitek with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.
Over-all, health experts say this season is mild compared to last. But many of those who are sick wonder why they are getting hit so hard, especially when they got a flu shot. Houghton says, “I did have a flu shot. I'm kind of mad. Cause every year I go get a flu shot and even though I really haven't the flu I still think that I've been sick most of the winter.”
Health experts say the vaccine helps prevent major complications from influenza, but it can't completely stop someone from getting sick.
“Flu viruses are mutating all the time so it's absolutely unpredictable. There are three components in a flu vaccine and those need to be matched to the circulating viruses,” explains Dr. Vitek. She says this year two of three components don't match the mutated virus and adds, “It's hard, it's a guessing game.”
Still, the Health Department recommends that everyone gets a flu shot and to prevent the virus from spreading, stay home if you're sick.
“I've had to. It's hard to take a sick day because you want to be here and be productive, but we all have to take them and use our time otherwise you're going to get everyone else sick,” expresses Houghton.
Dr. Vitek stresses two of the best ways to avoid sharing your sickness with others is to wash your hands frequently and carry tissue so when you sneeze or cough you don't do into your hands and then spread it when you shake hands or touch things.
The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is currently offering flu shots for $5.00.
