While many people think of Spring as the end of flu season, the United States flu season doesn’t actually end until May. Additionally, even once flu season is over, getting the flu remains a possibility—and it can potentially be dangerous for individuals in high-risk populations. As a result, as the end of the 2021-2022 flu season nears, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still encouraging vaccination against influenza. Here is some important information for individuals who have questions about influenza vaccination or concerns about getting a flu vaccine injury.
The CDC Reports Increasing Flu Activity As of March 2022
On March 18, 2022, the CDC reported that “flu activity is increasing across most of the United States after declining from mid-December through January.” Based on this activity, and noting that, “[f]lu activity is hard to predict,” the CDC wrote that, “flu vaccination at this time could still be beneficial for people who have not yet been vaccinated.”
The CDC also recommends vaccination against influenza generally:
“CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination as long as flu viruses are circulating and even when protection against one virus is reduced. Flu vaccines protect against four different flu viruses and vaccination could still prevent serious outcomes in people who are vaccinated but still get sick.”
This is true even when the flu vaccine’s effectiveness against a particular strain of influence is low—as has been the case during the 2021-2022 flu season. While the CDC acknowledges that, “this season’s vaccines have not reduced the risk of mild to moderate illness caused by the most common H3N2 viruses,” the CDC still recommends vaccination based on two key factors:
- “[V]accination has been shown in the past to offer protection against more serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick;” and,
- “Vaccination also could protect against illness caused by other flu viruses if those begin to circulate more commonly later this season.”
Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Flu Vaccine Injuries
Flu vaccine injuries are extremely rare. However, they do happen, and each year many individuals and families are forced to deal with the effects of shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), anaphylaxis and other vaccine-related medical conditions. While a mild fever, muscle aches, sore throat and other mild side effects are common and will generally go away within a few days, more-severe side effects may be symptomatic of a flu shot injury. This includes side effects such as:
- Difficulty controlling facial movements
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of balance
- Loss of sensation or movement
- Progressive muscle weakness
- Severe or radiating shoulder pain
- Tingling or “prickling” sensation in the fingers and toes
Learn about Filing a Flu Vaccine Injury Claim Under the VICP
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a flu vaccine injury, you may have a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Our firm represents individuals and families in VICP claims nationwide. For more information, please call 202-800-1711 or request a free consultation online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.