Anonymous Question Column: Vaccinations
Do I Really Need A Flu Shot?
Get onboard with Big Flu Madness!
Who likes getting vaccines? If you answered yes, I would be inclined to think there was something strange about you. How many of you would rather get one shot rather than get polio, measles, shingles, or the flu? This time I hope you answered, "YES!" I get asked all the time by family and friends, "Do I really need the flu shot?" The short answer is, yes. While it's no fun to get poked in the arm and have a useless jelly appendage for the day it really beats getting the flu, or worse transmitting the flu to an unvaccinated individual!
The concept of herd immunity is real. To break it down for you in an easy way think about it like this. If the majority of the population in an area gets vaccinated then theoretically they protect the unvaccinated people because they have immunity to whatever pathogen they have been vaccinated for. This theory works really well when people get their required vaccines such as MMR, Tdap, and polio. However, with elective vaccines such as the influenza vaccine, fewer people are likely to receive it. So, fewer people in the group are immune, therefore more unvaccinated people are likely to contract the flu.
It may not seem like a huge deal to get the flu, but we must think about those who may not fare as well, should they contract it. The average healthy adult could get the flu, feel pretty awful for a week or so, and return to a fully healthy state soon after. However, when an elderly adult, a child, or immunocompromised individual contracts the flu it could be devastating and deadly. These groups of people's immune systems are weak, and getting something like the flu could destroy their immunity and cause them to get even more harmful diseases along with just the flu. By getting the flu shot you not only protect yourself but you protect any at-risk people you may come in contact with.
I know most people who get the flu shot are concerned about "getting the flu" or feeling sick after receiving it. Let's take a look at some Influenza vaccine facts that could help dispel any myths or beliefs that are preventing you from getting the vaccine.
Myth: I will get the flu after getting the shot because they inject me with the flu virus!
Fact: Under no circumstances will the flu shot cause you to get the flu. The only way for you to contract the flu after getting the vaccine would be if you were exposed days before receiving the vaccine or within the first few days after receiving it before it's full immunity status has kicked in. The flu vaccine is made in two ways. One, the virus is inactive, killed, and injected or two, the virus is alive but they only use a single piece of genetic material instead of the whole virus, therefore it is not virulent.
Myth: I've always had really bad side effects after the vaccine that I don't want to experience!
Fact: All vaccines come with the risk of some side effects and the flu shot is no exception. The most common side effects of the flu shot are rather mild and include a slight temperature, injection site pain, headache, and muscle soreness. These side effects are generally easily managed with Tylenol or Ibuprofen and should subside in 1-2 days. The reason some people have reactions isn't due to the virus but rather to the additives that the vaccine contains to maintain it's shelf life and attenuation.
Myth: The live flu virus will cause autism.
Fact: Ah, the common misconception about vaccines causing autism. There really is only one way to answer this question besides a simple "No, vaccines will not cause autism." The longer answer is related to an article written by a British MD named Andrew Wakefield. He published a paper linking the MMR vaccine to autism in children, however only a few short years later several other doctors tried to replicate the exact study Wakefield conducted and were unable to find any scientific link to autism. In fact, his results and descriptions didn't even match up in a way that could be proven remotely possible. Wakefield later admitted to committing this hoax and falsifying his study, which caused him to lose his medical license.
Myth: I'm a healthy adult who has never had the flu or the flu shot, so why start now?
Fact: Regardless of your past health and history of receiving the vaccine, your immunity is constantly changing and so is the virus. Each year the flu virus mutates and changes somewhat, which causes higher or lower virulence each year. The vaccine also changes each year to hopefully combat the ever-changing viruses. What makes the flu particularly harmful is its ever-changing nature and ability to infect anyone at any time regardless of how strong your immune system is. My recommendation is to get the vaccine and protect yourself instead of being sorry.
While getting your flu shot may not be the most fun thing you do this fall it will keep you and your loved ones safe! Remember, it's not just about you getting the flu, but everyone else around you. Be selfless Big Blue Nation and go get your Big Flu Madness on!
