Seasonal Flu Resource Center Blog
Mythbusters: Separating Flu Vaccine Fact from Fiction
Bloomberg Businessweek reported recently on a survey released by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) that found 43 percent of Americans do NOT plan to get vaccinated against flu this year, a startling number considering the focus H1N1 put on the flu virus last season.
The NFID also asked those surveyed why they planned to skip vaccination. Many of the reasons given included common myths about the flu and the flu vaccine. While reasons for skipping vaccinations range from misconceptions about transmission to taking flu lightly, one thing remains true: influenza is more than an inconvenience. It is a serious illness that can cause weeks of sickness or even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. That’s an average of one person almost every 2 ½ minutes!
We took a look at some of the reasons people gave for skipping flu shots this season and sorted through some of the fact and fiction of flu. Below are some of the most common myths that people use as reasons for not getting a flu shot.
Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu
Of the people in the NFID survey who said they did not plan to get a flu shot this year, 62 percent said that a reason for not getting the shot was because the vaccine could give you the flu or because of a concern about side effects. The fact is the flu vaccine can’t give you flu. The injectable flu vaccine contains killed influenza viruses and side effects typically include soreness where the flu shot was given and sometimes aches or a low-grade fever.1 The CDC has a great informational page with key facts about the flu shot that gives details about vaccination and dispels some of the myths.
Myth: There are other ways to protect yourself
Many people in the NFID survey said that they don’t plan to get the flu shot because there are other ways they can protect themselves. But unless you plan to live in isolation for the duration of flu season, nothing will be more effective in influenza prevention than a flu vaccine. Thirty-four percent in the survey thought that hand-washing was as effective as the vaccine in preventing influenza. While hand washing is an important part of protection, it is only a part of the bigger picture. The CDC says that vaccination is the single best way to protect you and your family against flu. Keep in mind, just because you washed your hands doesn’t mean that a person with flu didn’t just touch that door knob you were using. And teaching your children to wash their hands doesn’t mean that they won’t be exposed to germs while at school or on the playground.
Myth: I’m healthy
The survey from NFID found that 69 percent of people who were not planning to get a flu shot held the belief that they are healthy and the flu doesn’t worry them. While it is true that there are groups of people at higher risks for complications from flu, the flu doesn’t discriminate and can impact both the frail and healthy in severe ways. For example, last year the H1N1 virus disproportionately impacted otherwise healthy children and almost 90 percent of deaths occurred in people under the age of 65. 2 Also, keep in mind that the flu shot doesn’t just protect you, but your loved ones, too. If you are around children, the elderly, or people who are in a high-risk group you getting vaccinated means that you are at a lower risk of passing on the flu virus to them.
Myth: The vaccine protects against just one strain of flu so it won’t be effective
Some people think that the flu vaccine protects against just one strain of the flu virus. The fact is, the flu vaccine contains protection against three different strains of influenza. This year, one of the strains the vaccine protects you against is H1N1. The process for deciding what strains go into the flu vaccine involves year-round surveillance and reporting from 101 countries to determine what strains are most likely to take hold each flu season. Based on that research, researchers in the United States determine which strains should be included in the vaccine distributed to the United States population.3 The CDC has already reported lab confirmed influenza cases in the United States for each of the three strains included in this years seasonal influenza vaccine.
Myth: Getting the flu shot takes too much time
Another excuse a lot of people give for not getting vaccinated is time. But time is no longer an excuse with thousands of flu clinics all over the country in convenient locations. People can now get their flu shots while grocery shopping, while at the mall, or in a variety of other convenient locations. Use our flu locator tool to find a clinic near you. When you find a clinic you can even sign up for a text message or e-mail reminder so you are reminded as your local flu clinic approaches.
By the way, one person that is probably getting vaccinated this year? Your doctor. A NFID survey of 400 physicians from September found that more than 90 percent are getting vaccinated this year and most recommend their families get vaccinated, too. As always, any health decisions should be discussed with a trusted physician, so if you still have questions about flu and how it applies to you, be sure to talk to your doctor about the best ways to protect yourself this flu season.
1- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm
2- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm#howserious
3- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011_vac_selection.htm
No related posts.