5 Flu Vaccine Myths
One of the main reasons why people don’t get their yearly flu vaccine, is because of all the myths flying around about what the vaccine is, and its after-effects. Admit it, we’ve all heard many wives tales about the flu shot!
The decision on whether or not to get the flu vaccine should involve making an educated decision, when myths are out of the way and the choice is made from only facts. To help you debunk the rumours and prevent cold and flu, here are the most common misconceptions about the flu vaccine*.
5 Flu Vaccine Myths
- The flu vaccine gives you the flu.
FALSE. Flu vaccinations delivered via a needle are either made with an ‘inactivated’ flu virus that’s not infectious, or with no flu virus at all. The most common reaction to the flu shot in adults has been soreness, redness or swelling at the spot where the shot was given. This usually lasts less than two days. This initial soreness is most likely the result of the body’s early immune response reacting to a foreign substance entering the body. Other reactions following the flu shot are usually mild and can include a low grade fever and aches. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. The most common reactions people have to flu vaccine are considerably less severe than the symptoms caused by actual flu illness.
- You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.
FALSE. The 2015 Shoppers Drug Mart Flu Poll revealed that 53% of Canadians do not believe they need to get the flu shot each year. But pharmacists warn Canadian’s – “Don’t Miss Out!”. In order to best protect yourself from the flu you need to be vaccinated annually and Canadians can drop into their local Shoppers Drug Mart any time of day no appointment necessary to get vaccinated this season.
- You should wait until the height of flu season to get vaccinated so you’re protected for longer.
FALSE. While it’s never too late to get vaccinated, it’s best to receive your flu shot soon after it’s available, likely October. The antibodies delivered via the flu vaccine that protect you against infection take up to two weeks to take effect, and since the flu peaks between December – February it’s important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
- Pregnant women need to get consent from their doctor prior to receiving the flu vaccine.
FALSE. There is no recommendation for pregnant women to seek consent from their doctor prior to vaccination. However, there are some people who should seek their doctors’ advice prior to being vaccinated, including those who have a moderate – to – severe illness and patients with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
- Is it better to get the flu than the flu vaccine?
FALSE. Flu can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Any flu infection can carry a risk of serious complications, hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy children and adults. Therefore, getting vaccinated is a safer choice than risking illness to obtain immune protection.
One startling truth is that 70 to 90% of flu cases can be averted through vaccination. Considering approximately 12,000 Canadians will be hospitalized this year because their flu will be so severe, and approximately 3,500 Canadians will die from the flu – getting the flu vaccine should be strongly considered!
Getting your annual flu shot is easy – Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies offer flu immunizations administered by an injection-certified pharmacist, without an appointment!
What do you think? Should you get the flu shot?
*Reference: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm
Disclosure: I am compensated for my part in the #SDMFluFighters program, all opinions are my own.
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I get the flu shot every year and I make sure that my elderly mother gets hers too. I didn’t know that it can take up to 2 weeks to become effective at preventing the flu. I’ll keep that in mind when I’m deciding when to get my shot next year.
I have mixed feelings about getting the flu shot. I personally won’t get it for myself and neither will my husband. We don’t usually get it for our daughters either. We haven’t had any problems yet, so we’d rather not get the shot.
I get my flu shot every year. I have been able to fight the flu ever since i started getting my shot. I would recommend it to everyone.
There are so many myths out there about the flu shot. I have had a lot of people tell me they do not get the shot because the one time they did it gave them the flu. I get my shot every year and have not had the flu in years.
I cant believe so many people still believe these myths. I think it is important to take any measures we can to prevent the flu. It can be deadly if the wrong person gets it.
I’m one of those who don’t get the flu shot, never had one in my entire life. I focus on eating healthy organic foods and I might catch a cold, a runny nose now and then but that is all.
That is great information to know! I have no idea that it took up to two week to be effective!
The flu can be such a dangerous and incapacitating disease! You have to protect yourself!
We get our flu shot every year. While we still may have the flu, I know it won’t be as bad as when you didn’t get a shot.
I got the flu shot. I did pick have a cold/cough and a bit of sore throat this month. I think if I did not have it, it would have been much worse. I did a lot of travel December/January that included very warm temperatures to extreme cold.
Great information. It’s always good to read up on information and make an informed decision for yourself. You’ve provided wonderful information, thank you!
Thanks for posting this. Just facts, no pressure on whether to get the shot or not. Being a healthcare professional that administer the shots (I’m a pharmacist.), I know this is hard to do. Sometimes I just want to shake some sense into some people. But “to each their own”. We just have to make sure that our patients are making informed decisions by providing the facts. Ultimately, it is still that individual’s decision. 🙂
My husband refuses to get the flu shot as about forty years ago his company had a flu clinic and about a week later half of the work force were really sick with the flu, hubby was in bed for a week with it! I keep telling him that the vaccine is different now but he still refuses to get the shot!