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 By Roy M. Arnold MD
It’s Fall again! As the days become cooler and the leaves begin to turn, it’s important to remember that now is the time to receive your annual flu shot, so that your body will have developed immunity by the time flu season arrives in December.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all persons over age 6 months receive an annual flu immunization. This immunization protects against the most likely strains of flu expected for this year’s season. While any number of arguments against taking the flu vaccine can be raised, the facts are straightforward: Flu vaccine prevents illness, decreases the chance of hospitalization and even death from influenza. This article will attempt to answer most of the questions people might have about flu vaccine.
I’m Healthy. Why do I need a flu shot? Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease which affects the lungs and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia. Even healthy people can get sick enough to miss work or school for a significant amount of time or even be hospitalized. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Pregnant women, young children, older people, and people with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications, so getting a yearly flu vaccine is especially important for them.
Is the vaccine safe? Yes. The flu vaccine is safe. They have been given to hundreds of millions of people for more than 50 years and have a very good safety track record.
Will the flu vaccine give me the flu? No. The flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness; however, it can cause mild side effects that may be mistaken for flu. For example, people vaccinated with the flu shot may feel achy and may have a sore arm where the shot was given. People vaccinated with the nasal spray flu vaccine may have a stuffy nose and sore throat. These side effects are NOT the flu. If experienced at all, these effects are usually mild and last only 1-2 days.
If I get the flu, won’t I recover quickly? Not necessarily. Influenza can be serious and anyone can become sick with flu and experience serious complications. But even if you bounce back quickly, others around you might not be so lucky. Older people, young children, pregnant women and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are at especially high risk from the flu. Kids, teens and adults who are active and healthy also can get very sick from flu and spread it to others. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, you can still spread the virus to others. Don’t be the one spreading flu to those you care about.
Can’t I wait and get vaccinated when/if flu hits my community? It is best to get vaccinated before flu begins to spread. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide full protection, so the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely it is that you will be fully protected once flu begins to circulate in your community.
Why do I need a shot every year? Two reasons:
a) The first reason is that because flu viruses are constantly changing, flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses research indicates may be most common during the upcoming flu season.
b) The second reason that annual vaccination is recommended is that a person’s immune protection from the vaccine declines over time. Annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection.
Does it work 100%? No, but it certainly minimizes your chances of getting sick from the most likely strains of flu expected to hit during the season. Other respiratory viruses for which there are no vaccines may also be circulating and you might catch one of those.
Besides getting a flu shot, there are a few things you can do to avoid getting sick during respiratory disease season. First – hand washing or sanitizers. Anytime you touch inanimate objects, they might contain flu virus particles that could be spread to you. Second – avoid close contact with persons who appear to have a cold or cough. If you are sick, stay home and avoid exposing the public or your co-workers.
Finally, eat a healthy diet and keep in shape during flu season. It will boost your immune system. Flu vaccine may be obtained from your primary healthcare provider, or at many pharmacies. Insurance covers flu vaccines in most cases. No more excuses – get your flu shot!
