What does the media have to say about the flu vaccine? How effective is it? Can it harm you? What are the facts?
The above video is from USA Today “a mother from Michigan is warning parents about influenza after her sixth-grader—who received the flu vaccination in December—suddenly showed symptoms of the virus in early January, and tragically passed away soon after Time” (Painter, 2018).
Most of the public is misinformed about flu vaccinations and general information about the flu.
An article provided by USA Today states the facts about the flu and compares it to recent years, as well as extreme epidemics from our past.
- Many of the vulnerable individuals either have a preexisting health condition, adults ranging from 50 and up, and children under 4 years of age.
- So far the number deaths occurring in children is still low and is predicted to match the previous year’s average, ranging from a low of 92 to a high of 148.
Painter, K. (2018, January 22). Yes, this flu season is brutal, but it’s not the worst. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/22/yes-flu-season-brutal-but-its-not-worst/1055525001/
What National Public Radio has to say about the flu
- This season follows our past season in which 80,000 people died, the likes of which we haven’t seen in 40 years.
- Despite the flu shot being able to protect about 40 to 60 percent of the time and many individuals still become infected with some strain, but it has been proven to decrease the symptoms if one does become infected.
- The Surgeon General says that flu vaccines save lives and everyone over the age of 6 months should receive one, unfortunately the vaccination rate is just around 47 percent.
- Despite older individuals being the most vulnerable, 172 individuals under the age of 18 died from the flu last year; majority of which had not received the vaccination.
- Many individuals still believe the vaccination contains a live virus, when in fact the virus is not active and will not give the individuals the flu.
Aubrey, A. (2018, October 01). Think You Don’t Need A Flu Shot? Here Are 5 Reasons To Change Your Mind. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/01/652140517/think-you-dont-need-a-flu-shot-here-are-5-reasons-to-change-your-mind
- In CDCs most recent report, the Flu vaccination coverage among adults was 37.1 percent, a decrease of 6.2 percentage points from the previous flu season.
- People need to trust in the effectiveness in the vaccine and the data the CDC presents.
- “Clearly, the anti-vaccination movement is taking advantage of the current climate of government distrust and the trend toward believing political statements over scientific ones to question vaccine safety.”
Fox, M. (2018, October 25). Way less than half of Americans got flu shots last season. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-records-drop-vaccination-rates-during-last-year-s-killer-n924521
Evidence of benefits of Flu shot
Through the 4-year period, this study was able to show the need for an influenza vaccination. Not only was the vaccination able to prevent flu, but it was also able to prevent majority of the subjects with high-risk medical conditions as well.
The subjects consisted of an age range of “6 months through 17 years with and without specified high-risk medical conditions”
Flannery, B., Reynolds, S. B., Blanton, L., Santibanez, T. A., O’Halloran, A., Lu, P., Fry, A. M. (2017, May 01). Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Against Pediatric Deaths: 2010–2014. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/139/5/e20164244
Reports from the Center of Disease and Control (CDC)
- Flu shots reduces the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women.
- A 2017 study was the first of its kind to show that flu shot can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from influenza.
- Flu shots have been shown with lower rates of some cardiac issues among people with heart disease, especially among those who had a cardiac event in the past year.
Influenza (Flu). (2018, September 10). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm
Can a flu vaccine give you the flu?
“No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Vaccines are made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and that therefore are not infectious, or b) using only a single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus) in order to produce an immune response without causing infection”
Do you need the flu shot every year?
Yes. The virus can change and so can your bodies ability to fight the virus.
Why don’t I feel well after the flu shot?
“Some people report having mild reactions to flu vaccination. The most common side effects from flu shots are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur” (CDC, 2018).
CDC. Influenza (Flu). (2018, September 25). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.html
Should you or a loved one choose to get a flu shot, please first speaking with your doctor.