30-01-2025
How long does it take for flu shot to work? Longer than you might think
The flu season is in full swing in New York, and residents may be booking flu shots at their local doctor's offices and pharmacies. But does it work right away?
The answer is no.
It takes about two weeks after getting the flu shot for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection and serious illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
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The level of protection against infection, as well as serious cases, varies based on the effectiveness of the flu shot being used each season, as experts seek to match flu vaccines to currently spreading virus strains.
For example, last year's seasonal flu vaccine was 41% effective in preventing medically attended flu, but offered significantly more protection against infections caused by influenza B compared to those caused by either influenza A(H1N1) or A(H3N2), according to a University of Minnesota report, which cited findings published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Flu vaccination rates in New York this season continued to lag prior years, as about 25% of New Yorkers, excluding New York City, had received the flu shot so far, well below the typical rate hovering around 50%.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How long does it take for flu shot to work? Longer than you may think
