Mixed views and uncertain facts about flu vaccines have always left a confusion in the minds of people, leaving them stranded and unguarded towards the most common and widely spread cold flu. Available in injection form as well as nasal spray, the most recent study on flu vaccines reveal that they offer only moderate protection and shield towards seasonal flu. However, prevention is better than cure, and thus, moderate protection is better than no protection at all. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests one and all after having crossed 1/2 a year of age to get vaccinated every year, unless one is allergies towards it.
1. Flu shots can be life saving
Statistics and facts reveal that in the U.S. every year around 2 lac people get admitted to the hospital on account of suffering from seasonal flu and approximately 36,000 succumb to it. Such figures are mind boggling and health organisations. Doctors in the U.S. readily admit that flu shots, if taken every year, can help combat the present situation, as those vaccinated would have greater chances of surviving, with better immunity and resistance power, to fight this dreadful common flu, than those who have not taken the shots for precaution.
2. Flu shots do not cause the flu
Where flu vaccines are equipped with virus strains of the flu, flu shots are extracted out of an inactivated form of the flu virus and the nasal spray consists of the weakened form of it. Whatever be the case and whichever one you opt for, it surely would protect you from catching the commonly spread flu.
3. Flu shots are safer than you might think
Many parents had the misconception and concern for their children that flu vaccines contained a special kind of preservative called thimerosal, which could cause autism in children. Thus they would refrain from getting their children vaccinated with the same. However, scientific research and studies dismissed such myths and claimed that this preservative could, in no way, cause autism in a child and was absolutely safe for all age groups. However, most of the vaccines used in the U.S. for flu, given to children, do not contain this preservative and adults with doubt can ask for thimerosal-free vaccines.
4. Flu shots are easy to get
To get yourself vaccinated against flu, you do not necessarily have to visit the doctor anymore. It is now readily available in many pharmacies and chemist shops at cheap and affordable rates, for which no prior appointment is required.
5. Flu shots may not be safe for some people
Some Flu vaccines are harvested within the eggs of the chicken. So, people who are allergic to eggs may face problems with such vaccines as they might put them at higher risks. Before getting themselves vaccinated, they should not forget to consult a physician.
6. Flu shots can have some minor side effects
Some people develop soreness or redness and swelling around the area where the shot has been injected, accompanied with low fever and aches. However, these issues are not serious and one does not require to panic as they get resolved on their own within 1 or 2 days.
7. Flu shots aren’t a one shot deal
If you have taken a flu shot once, it does not give you a lifetime quarrantee of protection against the flu virus. Flu vaccines are reformed and formulated every year for maintenance sake, thus one has to get himself vaccinated every year for a foolproof precaution from the flu virus. However, the vaccine is given every year from October to May and experts advise to take it before December for best results.
8. Flu shots aren’t 100 percent effective
A recent study pointed out that flu shots do not provide protection to one and all, they are effective only on around 59 percent of the vaccinated healthy lot of people. However, the annual vaccination or shot might act as a shield to protect you from the season’s pre-dominant common flu, but it does not assure you total safety from all other viruses which might be floating in the open air.
The above facts about flu shots would definitely assist in creating awareness about the positives of the vaccine, with more and more people coming forward to get the vaccination done.
