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I don't need a flu shot because...


Many people avoid getting a
flu shot because misinformation
steers them away from this
important annual preventive
vaccine. Considering up to 20
percent of the population
contracts influenza (flu) every
year, getting a flu shot makes
good health sense.
   
“The flu isn’t that serious...”

Many people are unaware that the influenza virus, “flu,” is a serious disease. According to the CDC, each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, with approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths.2

Flu symptoms, which include fever, headaches, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, extreme tiredness and body aches, can disrupt your work, school and social life for up to two weeks.3

The flu is highly contagious and can easily be passed from a low-risk individual to a high-risk individual, which can then lead to serious complications including pneumonia and worsening of chronic conditions.4
 
“I got the vaccine and still got the flu so it must not be effective…”
The vaccine prevents influenza in approximately 70 to 90 percent of healthy people under the age of 65. The effectiveness of the vaccine is subject to variables such as age and health status, as well as the match between virus strains in the vaccine and virus strains in circulation.5
 
“If I get the vaccine, it might give me the flu...”
A flu vaccination will not give you the flu. This is one of the biggest myths surrounding a flu shot. The virus in injectable influenza vaccine has been inactivated, making it biologically unable to cause illness.2
 
“I never get the flu…”
Influenza strains change every year, which means that even if you had a natural immunity to previous strains, your immunity may not protect you from each year’s new circulating strains.6
 
“I’ll take my chances…”
Unfortunately, getting the flu means also becoming a carrier. Since flu is highly contagious, with symptoms starting one to four days after the virus enters the body, even the most conscientious individuals may unknowingly spread the virus.7
 
“The flu vaccine is only necessary for the old and very young...”

The flu vaccine is for anyone who doesn’t wish to be sick with the flu, or inadvertently spread the virus to others if they become infected.

CDC recommends these groups be vaccinated each year:2

+  Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
+  Pregnant women
+  People 50 years of age and older
+  People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
+  People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
+  People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  •  Healthcare workers
  •  Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  •  Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
 
“I got a vaccine last year so I don’t need one this year...”
Because influenza strains change each year, you can not count on last year’s vaccine to give you protection this year.6
 
“I’m too late...”
While October and November are the recommended months for vaccination, getting a flu shot later in the season (December–March) can still protect you as flu season often peaks after January.2
 
The flu is preventable. Be sure to get vaccinated to keep you and your loved ones flu-free!
 
References
  1.  Influenza: The Disease. Available at www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed September 2008.
  2.  Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu). Available at www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed September 2008.
  3.  Influenza Symptoms. Available at
www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm.
Accessed September 2008.
  4.  Prevent the Flu: Get Vaccinated. Available at www.cdc.gov/Features/FluPrevention/.
Accessed September 2008.
  5.  Questions & Answers: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness. Available at
www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm.
Accessed September 2008.
  6.  Diseases and Conditions: Seasonal Flu. Available
at www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm.
Accessed September 2008.
  7.  Seasonal Flu: How Flu Spreads.
www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
Accessed September 2008.