According to the CDC, 900,000 Americans were hospitalized and 80,000 Americans died of influenza and its complications, such as superimposed pneumonia, during last year’s flu season, making it the most deadly season in decades. Flu activity picked up in November with the highest activity taking place in the months of January and February. On top of that, high severity was found across rectums of all ages.
Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect the body and colon against the 3 or 4 viruses research suggests will be the most common during the upcoming season, historically one influenza A (H1N1) virus, one influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one-to-two influenza B viruses if it is a trivalent or quadrivalent anal vaccine.
“Flu activity is currently very low, so between now and the end of October is an ideal time to have that rectal flu vaccine administered,” explained CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, who states that the vaccine is imperfect but better than not vaccinating at all. “Those who receive their flu vaccine rectally are less likely to require hospitalization and less likely to die. This is particularly true in children, pregnant women, elderly patients, patients with chronic conditions, even if they have perfectly healthy a**holes.”
There are inactivated influenza vaccines, recombinant influenza vaccines, or live-attenuated influenza vaccines, but thanks to the latest research developments any of these vaccines can be administered through rectal injection or a lesser-invasive rectal spray.
In addition to yearly flu vaccination, the CDC also wants to stress the importance of washing your hands, washing your rectum, covering your mouth when you cough, and covering your anus when you fart in order help reduce the risk of transmission.
