Can you still catch a cold or flu after the flu jab?

The flu vaccine

Firstly, the flu. This is more than a severe or ‘heavy’ cold as some might think – it is caused by a specific bug known as the influenza virus. This family of viruses contains variants which have caused death and illness over the decades – from Spanish flu (now believed to be H1N1)^{1, 2}, in 1918; Bird or Avian flu (H5N1 in 1997 and H7N9 in 2013)³. and Swine flu (H1N1 again) in 2009⁴.

For the 2013/2014 winter season, the World Health Organisation has recommended that vaccines provide protection against up to 4 viruses, including the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses⁵. These are the ones the WHO judges to be the most dangerous to health this winter. The choice is reviewed each year and new recommendations made as viruses change or mutate. For instance, the H3N2 virus is one which mutated out of the Swine flu virus in 2010⁶.

However, most winters, it is not these ‘famous’ viruses which cause problems for the majority of people. Although not likely to be as dangerous or spread as easily, the more common flu viruses we pick up from day to day can lead to symptoms of a bad or heavy cold as well as flu symptoms.

What about colds?

Well, although in some cases, they may be more contagious, strains of the cold, tend not to be as dangerous. But the key reason that there are no vaccines, yet developed against cold viruses is that there are over 200 different types which cause infections, with exotic sounding names such as rhinovirus, coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus, and it is impossible to know which ones to aim for.

The flu vaccine won't protect you against everything

So, it is clear that the flu jab will not protect you against all the flu viruses lurking around – just the ones which have hit the news and thought by the experts to be the most dangerous this coming winter. It does not protect you against any new ones which may be round the corner and it certainly does not help your body fight the common cold viruses, and some of these can cause symptoms which can be just as inconvenient when you are looking forward to a good rest and enjoyable time during the Christmas break.

However, on the other hand, every little helps. Protecting yourself from even one type of infection, may make your system more resilient to secondary infections.

The flu jab is a controversial topic and this article is not intended to add to the argument. However, whatever your views are and whether or not you will be having one this winter, we wanted to highlight it is unlikely to protect you against every bug lying in wait on the escalator rail, door handle or telephone, but just the strain of flu it was originally intended for.

There really is no substitute for keeping your immune system strong. Click the link here if you want to learn more.

Can I take Echinaforce if I'm due to have the flu jab?

Whilst there are no contraindications for the use of Echinacea drops or tablets either immediately before or after the flu vaccination, plus it makes sense to protect yourself with Echinaforce if you feel your immune system needs some extra support, if you currently have a cold or flu infection, our advice would be to wait until you have recovered from the infection, before having the jab. Watch my self-care tip below for more information.

My Self-Care Tip: Wait until you’re well before getting the flu jab

In my latest self-care tip, I explain why you shouldn't get any vaccinations whilst you're feeling unwell.

Getting sufficient sleep may also help to improve one's response to vaccinations. Research has suggested that we may not get the maximum benefit from the flu jab, in terms of our body's ability to produce sufficient antibodies, if we regularly sleep less than 6 hours per night.⁷

Support the immune system with Echinaforce:

• Helps fight the misery of colds and flu
• Strengthens the immune system
• Made from Echinacea purpurea
• Fresh herb extract

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Find Echinaforce in a store near you Add to basket - 15ml for £5.49

Also available in the following size: 100ml 50ml

References

1. http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/1918flu/index.html
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22967978/
3. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Avian-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx
4. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx
5. http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/f/article/flujab,seasonal/
6. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-cases.htm
7. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/131487

Article originally written on 07/10/13, updated on 22/10/20.