Publication date: October 28, 2021
About 6 million people receive a call for a flu shot every year. It concerns people aged 60 years and older and people from risk groups. But even if you do not belong to this group, it is possible to get a flu shot if you wish. In this article we explain how to arrange this.
How does the flu shot work?
There are many different types of flu viruses. Every year, experts look at which viruses are most likely to become active in the winter. Those viruses are included in the flu shot. Because these are dead viruses, they are harmless, but they do ensure that your body produces antibodies against the flu viruses that are in the flu shot. This reduces the chance that you will get the flu. If you do get the flu, the shot will make you less seriously ill. Even if it is a flu virus that is not in the flu shot. Protection usually lasts 6 months, so the flu shot must be repeated annually.
Also read: Doctor Ted – Importance of the flu shot and corona infections are rising again
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Most vulnerable people can get the flu shot
The flu shot is free for people aged 60 and older. Also those who are at extra risk to get seriously ill from it, you can get the flu shot for free. Such as people with lung or heart disease and with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Among this group of approximately 6 million people, the turnout for vaccination has always been about 50 percent in recent years. Nevertheless, a temporary shortage of vaccines has threatened in 2020, due to the increased interest in the flu shot due to corona. In the end, everyone was able to get a vaccine if they wanted, and there are even vaccines left over. For 2020, 4 million doses have been put in place and in order to prevent another impending shortages, a total of almost 4.7 million vaccines have been purchased for 2021. This takes into account that vaccines must be available for 75 percent of the target group.
Also read: What about? Is there a severe flu wave coming?
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Still a shot if you fall outside the target group
Do you not belong to the target group, but do you want to protect yourself (and others) against the flu? Then you can. In that case, you pay the costs for the flu shot (around 25 to 40 euros) and the vaccination by your GP or doctor’s assistant. You can find out how much it costs through your GP practice and ask for a prescription. You then pick up the flu vaccine from the pharmacy and make an appointment for the injection itself. The GGD or a vaccination center can also do the injection for you. Sometimes employers or health insurers pay for the flu shot.
(Source: RIVM, ANP, Radar, Zorgwijzer)
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