Most frequent readers know that almost every Kinsa email is written by our staff nurse - a very real staff nurse with decades of experience on both adult and pediatric wards. These days, Nurse Blake can be found in her Colorado living room writing clinical content, herding her teenage girls (or her pack of rescued dogs) or out on nearby trails, running an ultramarathon. Today, we talked to her about why she chooses to get a flu vaccine every year, even when she’s strong, healthy and generally pro- letting her body heal naturally.
Anna (Director of Content): Thanks so much for chatting with me today. I’d like to touch on what the flu season looks like for you and what you do to keep yourself and your family healthy. For starters, does your whole family get the flu vaccine each year?
Nurse Blake: There have been a couple years that have slipped through the cracks for my husband. I usually leave it up to him to get it sorted out and sometimes he doesn’t follow through. But we have two daughters and they definitely get it every year. I purposely schedule annual well-checks with their doctor in the fall so they can get the flu vaccine at the same time. I get mine every year as well. Typically, working in healthcare, I get it at whichever hospital or clinic I’m working in at the time. But I also have an annual well-check each fall so I have that option if it’s more convenient.
Anna: I love the idea of scheduling it with an annual well-check, I hadn’t thought of that! With most health insurance, you have to wait 12 months between well-checks. What would you tell families who are already on a yearly well-check schedule where their appointments don’t already align with flu season?
Nurse Blake: Great point. In that instance, you’ll need to make an extra appointment for a flu vaccine or stop by a grocery store with a pharmacy or an urgent care. Walk-ins are usually welcome so you can just swing by while you’re getting groceries! If you have insurance, it should be free most places.
If you don’t have health insurance, I’d start by talking to your employer, as many of them offer free flu vaccines. You could also try local churches or synagogues, or community centers. Many county health departments offer free flu vaccines, regardless of insurance - check here if you’re wondering where yours is located.
Anna: Since you are a nurse and believe in getting your vaccine every year, is it safe to assume you believe in pharmaceuticals across the board?
Nurse Blake: Gosh no, not at all. I think I’m pretty middle-of-the-road when it comes to stuff like this. There are many serious conditions that do need medication and monitoring from a doctor, I just don’t think we need medicine for every ailment. I like to think my body is telling me something and I try to listen and respond in a more natural way.
If I get a headache though, for example, I know it’s generally because I’m either dehydrated, didn’t sleep well or am likely stressed. Instead of running to the medicine cabinet, I like to go through the basics: refill my water bottle and have a snack to make sure I’m topped off with calories. I’m not much of a napper but if it’s really bad, maybe I just need to lay down and close my eyes for 20 minutes. If nothing is working, I’m not opposed to taking ibuprofen or Tylenol, it’s just not my first line of defense. I’m more of a wait-it-out-and-grab-chocolate kinda gal when it comes to minor discomforts. (Chocolate always helps. 😉)
Anna: What makes the flu any different? Why not take the approach that if you get the flu, your body will fight it off in its own time?
Nurse Blake: That’s a fair question! On a big picture level: it’s a contagious illness and it’s not about me. I get the flu vaccine to protect those who are more vulnerable than I am because I have seen firsthand how serious the flu can be for some people. If I can have any part in helping people avoid that heartache, why wouldn’t I?
On a smaller picture level, if I am thinking of myself: I don’t want to be sick with any sort of illness, not even a cold and certainly nothing as serious as the flu. I like to stay busy and active and getting sick is a major disruption to all the things I enjoy.
I also trust the science and tend not to overthink it. If the flu vaccine has an efficacy rate of 40-60% + little-to-no risk? That’ll do for me.
Anna: When do you typically get your flu vaccine?
Nurse Blake: Most years, I try to get my flu vaccine by the end of October because then peak immunity will line up with peak flu season (typically Jan/Feb). BUT, as we sit here talking at the beginning of November, I’ll admit to you that I haven’t gotten mine yet - I’m getting it at the end of this week. I did this on purpose to minimize disruptions to my schedule. Which leads me to my next point...let’s cover some real-life considerations.
We know the flu vaccine will give you some side effects, right? Headache, body aches, fatigue, a sore arm, possibly a mild fever, and so on. Remember, the vaccine doesn’t give you the flu, but our body is building up antibodies against the flu and that does come with some side effects.
I’m okay with all that, I don’t think it’s too big a deal. However, I am a busy gal, as most of us are. In addition to being a full-time mother-of-two and a full-time nurse writer, I’m also an avid runner and a cross country coach with three dogs who need to get outside each day. So while I accept the side effects of the flu vaccine, I also like to time it to be the least disruptive to my life and I encourage you to do the same. If I am planning a running rest day on Thursday, for example, I’ll schedule my vaccine for Wednesday afternoon. That way I can run Wednesday morning, get the flu vaccine, rest on Thursday and hopefully be ready to roll again on Friday. I do this for my kids as well - if they have an event or activity coming up, I’ll schedule their flu vaccine in the days after the event.
Another thing to think about when scheduling your vaccine is Thanksgiving. It takes two weeks for your body to build up the necessary antibodies, which means you’ll want to get vaccinated by November 11th this year if you plan on getting together with family for the holiday. This is especially important if you’ve got some older grandparents there or anyone with a new baby - they are much more vulnerable than the rest of us so it’s important to protect them.
Anna: Amazing, this has been so helpful. Any last thoughts, Nurse Blake?
Nurse Blake: Am I allowed to share something I wrote?
Anna: Yes, please!
Nurse Blake: We’ve got an article here that covers a lot of questions about the flu vaccine, including which one is right for you. I didn’t write this second resource, but if you’re ready to get your flu shot, here's a link to find a flu shot clinic near you.
Thank YOU for the great questions. I hope everyone gets vaccinated, stays healthy and enjoys a wonderful Thanksgiving!
.png)
.png)
.png)