Flu Shot Facts

Debunking three myths about flu vaccines

Are you worried about contracting the flu this year? If not, maybe you should be.

In late 2017, the world’s experts looked toward the southern hemisphere’s winter to see what might be in store for the U.S. this year. According to the NEJM Perspective, it doesn’t look good. That may be because vaccine mismatches can—and do—occur.

Influenza futures cannot be 100 percent predictable. But amid the confusion for the consumers, the NEJM article states: “However imperfect, though, current influenza vaccines remain a valuable public health tool, and it is always better to get vaccinated than not to get vaccinated.”

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) numbers serve as bleak reminders that influenza kills. In recent years, between 71 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people older than 65, according CDC’s public health experts.

And U.S. hospitalization data show more than half the seasonal flu-related admissions occur among people who are older than 65. If you happen to be in that age range, then you’re also at greater risk of serious complications from the flu.

Unless you’re looking for a serious time-out this winter, the flu vaccine offers the best protection available for most older adults, according to the CDC. In fact, this year’s flu shot could save your life—and although it’s January, it’s still not too late.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) performs genome sequencing to compare the genetic sequences of vaccine viruses with those of circulating viruses. This is one way to assess how closely related the circulating influenza viruses are to the viruses the influenza vaccine is formulated to protect against.

Prevention is one reason to learn the difference between influenza myths and flu facts, say public health professionals.

Myth #1: The Flu Shot Makes You Sick

“The most common myth that we all hear almost all the time is people feel they got sick from the vaccine,” said Dalia Eid, registered pharmacist and pharmacy manager at a Kennesaw Walgreens. “They’re sure it was the flu vaccine that made them ill.”

She explained that it can’t actually happen like that.

“Remember that the injection takes about two weeks to become effective,” Eid reminded. “The flu shot does not contain live viruses, so ‘getting the flu’ from the injection is virtually impossible.”