Why Get a Flu Shot?

Despite the fact that the influenza virus can kill, many people still opt out of the vaccination. The critical point here is that they would rather succumb to severe illness and possibly death than simply get their arm pricked with a needle.

Of course, there are some who are allergic to eggs, which the vaccine comprises, so for those people, it makes sense to opt out. For the rest, there is no good reason to refuse the immunization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, annual deaths from influenza have reached close to 49,000 people in recent years – most of which were 65 and older.

How does the vaccine work? The CDC explains the process on its website, but in brief, the vaccine causes the body to create antibodies for about two weeks after the inoculation. These antibodies then provide protection against the influenza virus that is included in the vaccine. There are two types of shots: trivalent and quadrivalent. The traditional shot is trivalent and protects against three strains: two influenza A viruses: H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza B virus. The quadrivalent protects you from those three plus a second influenza B strain.

It is recommended that most people 18 and older receive the standard dose of the trivalent flu shot with people age 65 and older receiving a higher dose of the same vaccine. The quadrivalent flu shot is recommended for children and youth up through age 17. In particular, the quadrivalent nasal spray version is highly recommended for healthy children ages 2 through 8.

The point of the different vaccine for children is to provide far more assistance in their bodies, whose immune systems are still developing. Likewise, senior citizens need the extra protection because their immune systems are comprised simply through the aging process.

The best time to get vaccinated is now. The flu season typically begins in October and can run through May. The peak time for the virus is January and February. You want to make sure you are protected before the virus peaks in activity. The benefits of the vaccination are great:

1. It protects you from the flu but also protects those around you who may be more vulnerable to the influenza virus

2. Older adults who chronic health conditions and young children have far better protection from becoming seriously ill from the flu

3. The vaccine may make your illness milder if you do get sick

4. It will reduce your risk of the more serious outcomes from influenza such as hospitalization or death

Recent studies found that the vaccine reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by 74% in children and 71% in adults. Also, the vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations among those with diabetes and chronic lung disease by 79% and 52%, respectively.

You are encouraged to talk with your doctor about the influenza shot and which version is best for you. You could also reach out to the local health department, and some pharmacies offer the influenza vaccine as well. Regardless, get the vaccination. You won’t regret it.

People who should not be vaccinated

The biggest reason for not getting a flu shot is because of an egg allergy. However, there are other people who should not get the vaccine:

1. Children under 6 months old are far too young to handle the flu shot

2. People with life-threatening allergies to other ingredients in the vaccine such as gelatin or antibiotics

People who should not get the nasal spray vaccine:

1. Children under 2 years old

2. Adults 50 and older

3. People with severe allergies to the ingredients

4. Children or adolescents (2-17) who are on a long-term aspirin regimen

5. Pregnant women

6. People with suppressed immune systems

7. Children ages 2-4 who suffer from asthma

8. People who have taken influenza antiviral drugs within the previous 48 hours

9. People with severely compromised immune systems that require protective environments