By Lauren Wanko
Correspondent
The Martino’s wasted no time this year in getting the flu shot. They were both vaccinated in October. It’s become an annual tradition for the Ocean Township couple.
“My husband and I do mostly everything together,” said Pat Martino.
Although she laughs these grandparents don’t joke about the vaccine. They enjoy spending time with their six grandkids.
“It’s not only to protect yourself, but not to pass the germs on if you will,” said Marty Martino.
“Evidence has proven that it decreases mortality, it decreases complications, it decreases hospitalizations. I 100 percent say I’m all for it,” said Dr. Jason Nehmad.
Meridian Medical Group’s Dr. Nehmad says the flu vaccine changes every year.
“The FDA and the CDC, every year they access based on the most common strains — usually two common strains of the influenza A and then two common strains of influenza B — based on those common strains they develop a vaccine,” he said.
Although you can get the flu throughout the year, the season typically lasts from October to April and peaks in January and February. He tests patients with a nasal swab. So far this year there haven’t been any confirmed cases in his office. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Dr. Tina Tan says right now the agency’s seeing low levels of influenza like illness activity statewide.
“According to data from CDC right now, the data suggests that this year’s vaccine is a good match to the currently circulating viruses 212, but it’s still really early in our flu season so it’s hard to tell the effectiveness, the true effectiveness, until a little bit later in the season,” Dr. Tan said.
“It’s not 100 percent protective. Nothing is, but if you are one of the unlucky ones that actually gets the flu then at least you think of it as it’s going to hit you a little less, and it’s going to hit you for a less duration of a period,” said Dr. Nehmad.
Last year Dr. Nehmad’s office administered about 1,200 flu shots. He recommends all his patients get the vaccine, especially the elderly, those with chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney and lung disease and pregnant women.
The flu shot generally takes a couple weeks to become effective, which is why Dr. Nehmad encourages New Jerseyans to get vaccinated now. Dr. Tan says the state doesn’t monitor how many residents get the shot.
“We do know that there are close to 130 million doses of seasonal vaccine, flu vaccine, that have been distributed nationwide,” Dr. Tan said.
Marty Martino’s happy he got one of those doses. This grandfather says now he feels protected.
“It’s like having an army at your side with the flu shot,” he said.