Every year you probably ask yourself the same thing: Should I get a flu shot this year, or should I pass it by?
It's understandable that you might feel uncertain. There's a lot of confusing information floating around out there about flu vaccines, which are available either as a shot or as a nasal spray. For instance, a recent study indicated that flu vaccines offer you only "moderate protection" from catching this season's flu. That's hardly inspiring. On the other hand, "moderate protection" is better than no protection at all, right?
What should you do? The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine each year, unless you are allergic to the vaccine. But even still, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Here are a few flu shot pros and cons to consider as you weigh what's right for you:
Pros:
Flu shots can be life-saving: In the United States alone, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for the flu every year, and about 36,000 die from causes related to the flu. The prevention a flu vaccine provides could literally save your life.
Flu shots don't cause the flu: Yes, it's true that flu vaccines contain strains of the flu virus itself, but flu shots are made with a totally inactivated form of the virus. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with a severely weakened form of it. Neither type of flu vaccine puts you at risk of catching the flu.
Flu shots are safer than you might think: For a long time, many parents were concerned that a preservative that had been used in vaccines, thimerosal, was linked to autism in children. Studies have shown no link between vaccines that contain thimerosal and autism -- and the study that originally sparked concern has been discredited and withdrawn. What's more, nowadays, most flu vaccines given to children in the U.S. do not contain thimerosal, and adults can request thimerosal-free vaccines as well.
Flu shots are easy to get: These days, you don't have to make a special trip to the doctor to get a flu shot. Many pharmacies will give you a shot -- without an appointment, in a jiffy, and for a very reasonable fee.
Cons:
Flu shots may not be safe for some people: If you are allergic to eggs, flu shots, which are cultivated inside of chicken eggs, may put you at risk. Be sure to consult your doctor.
Flu shots can have minor side effects: Some people develop symptoms like soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given; low-grade fever; or aches. These are usually pretty mild and no cause for concern, and resolve within a day or two.
Flu shots aren't a one-shot deal: Because flu viruses change each year, the vaccines are re-formulated annually to keep up. To make sure you're protected, you have to get vaccinated again every year during flu season, which generally lasts from October to May. Health experts generally recommend getting it sooner (like before December) rather than later.
Flu shots aren't 100 percent effective: A recent study found that flu shots were only about 59 percent effective in healthy adults. Your annual flu shot may protect you from this season's most dominant strains of flu, but unfortunately, it won't protect you from all the other bugs that might be floating around out there.
After weighing the pros and cons, do you plan to get a flu shot this year?
Image via USACE Europe District/Flickr
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Comments 101
I have a compromised immune system thanks to thyroid disease, and I have asthma so it's recommended that I get the flu shot and the H1N1 shot every year. The flu has been my nemesis since i was a child and most of the time it was respiratory. My parents believed that it was better to get the flu and get it over with rather than get the shot.
My son has received his flu shot every year of his life and has not had the flu once, for which I'm grateful. The less my son is sick, the less chance I will get sick. However we did have a scare two years ago, the schools here had to close down for two weeks due to the H1N1 virus. Neither of us got sick because of it, but my friends daughter did and it was horrible. I honestly think even if its only an increase in protection, some is better than none at all.
i never have and never will and i never give my kids the flu shot either
I am required to get the flu shot every year for my job and I HATE it because I always wind up with the flu that isn't covered by the <% that the shot actually immunizes against. I'd rather let my immune system build up and be stronger against more strains of virus.
Yes, I have asthma and my doctor has told me to get a flu shot and a Pneumonia shot...the last time I got one, I was literally in bed the whole next day. However, it was nothing compared to having the flu. So, yes, I will definitely get one.
I got my daughter one this year only because she's one year old and I didn't want her to go through the flu so young, I have never had a flu shot, and in the future after she's a bit older I won't get her one either, I prefer natural immunity over artificial and I think that pharma has really overdone the medications and shots, now routine shots like rubella and tetanus absolutely, that's a real lifesaver for things that can kill you, but the flu, building a healthy immune system to me is a better solution than putting a bunch of unnatural unnecessary substances into your body.
by the way another reason I probably won't get my daughter anymore flu shots is instead of the flu this season she's already gotten a nasty cold with a 103.6 degree fever, so either way there's always danger and you can't hide from all of it, so it's pointless. I'd rather put my trust in the one who can keep us safe no matter what.
@ A:
Seizures can occur for many reason. There is no one reason they occur. Since you stopped taking meds at 21, I'm guessing you had JME. I am 26 and will take medications (lamotrigine to be exact) for the rest of my life.
My kids will get the flu shot. My oldest seems to have picked up my immune system, which is horrible. He didn't get it last year, and he was sick all year. I usually forget to get it myself, but I probably will. My husband is the only one who doesn't take vitamins and he hardly gets sick, *sigh*, lucky dog. :)
I don't get them but I also don't think I like the 59% odds. That is crazy to me.