True or False? Flu Shots
This blog reviews common beliefs about the flu vaccine and provides evidence-based research to help the reader make up his or her own mind on the issues.
Flu vaccine for 2014-2015 only had an 18% effectiveness rate.-false
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies, “recent studies show vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness by about 50% to 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are like the vaccine viruses.” (CDC, 2015)
Flu shot side effects are deadly. –mostly false
Common side effects from the flu shot include the following and last 1-2 days:
• Soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Muscle aches
In those over 65 who received a flu shot, researchers found antibody concentrations were between 38 percent and 67 percent lower than those in people not taking statins. –may be true
Two studies have shown patients over 65 years old on statins to reduce blood cholesterol levels have had reduced responses to influenza vaccines. Additional research is necessary to reproduce these results. (Knapton, 2015)
The flu shot actually makes you sick to begin with. -false
The flu vaccine does not cause illness. “Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or with no flu vaccine viruses at all which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine.” (DHHS, May)
People who are at high risk of developing serious complications (like pneumonia) if they get sick with the flu should get the influenza vaccine.
• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
• Pregnant women.
• People younger than 5 years (and especially those younger than 2), and people 65 years and older. (Alaska Nurse, 2013, p. 9)
According to the CDC, individuals in the following groups should not receive the seasonal influenza virus vaccine without consulting a physician:
• Individuals with a severe allergy to chicken eggs,
• Individuals who have had a severe reaction to a seasonal influenza virus vaccination in the past,
• Individuals who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the six weeks after receiving the seasonal influenza virus vaccine,
• Children aged younger than six months, and
• Individuals who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever (these individuals should wait until their symptoms improve) (Alaska Nurse, 2013, p. 9)
Flu vaccines contain dangerous ingredients such as mercury. –true multi-dose vials
Today, except for some flu vaccines in multi-dose vials, no recommended childhood vaccines contain thimerosal as a preservative. Thimerosal is a mercury-containing compound that prevents the growth of dangerous bacteria and fungus. It is used as a preservative for flu vaccines in multi-dose vials, to keep the vaccine free from contamination. Thimerosal is also used during the manufacturing process for some vaccines to prevent the growth of microbes. (Understanding Thimerosal,Mercury, and Vaccine Safety, 2013)
To find a full list of influenza vaccines and the ingredients, go to this site: Vaccine Content
Lack of real evidence that young children even benefit from flu shots.-false
Children younger than 6 months old
These children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure people around them are vaccinated.
Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
It is estimated that each year in the United States, there are more than 20,000 children younger than 5 years old who are hospitalized due to flu. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply because of their age. In addition, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick. (CDC, 2015)
Flu shot makes you more susceptible to pneumonia and other contagious diseases. -false
People who are at high risk of developing serious complications (like pneumonia) if they get sick with the flu should get the influenza vaccine. (Alaska Nurse, 2013, p. 9)
Increased cases of narcolepsy (a chronic sleep disorder) in 12 different countries after receiving flu vaccine. -Partially true
“An increased risk of narcolepsy was found following vaccination with Pandemrix, a monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine that was used in several European countries during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Pandemrix was not licensed for use in the United States. In fact, no adjuvanted influenza vaccines are licensed in the United States, and no adjuvanted influenza vaccines were used in the United States during the influenza pandemic or in any other influenza season.” (CDC, 2015)
Evidence now suggests that ingredients in flu vaccinations can actually cause serious neurological disorders. -false
Children of any age with neurologic conditions are more likely than other children to become very sick if they get the flu. Flu complications may vary and for some children, can include pneumonia and even death.
Neurologic conditions can include:
• Disorders of the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
• Stroke
• Intellectual disability
• Moderate to severe developmental delay
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spinal cord injury
Some children with neurologic conditions may have trouble with muscle function, lung function or difficulty coughing, swallowing, or clearing fluids from their airways. These are problems that can make flu symptoms worse.
Vaccination is the Best Protection against Flu
Seasonal influenza vaccination
• All adults should receive seasonal influenza vaccination
• Vaccination is highly recommended for all smokers, residents of skilled nursing/long-term care facilities, and persons with chronic lung disease (including asthma), chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, chronic alcoholism, functional or anatomic asplenia (e.g., sickle cell disease or splenectomy [if elective splenectomy is planned, vaccinate at least 2 weeks before surgery]), conditions that compromise immune function (e.g., chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome), cochlear implant, or cerebrospinal fluid leak
• Influenza-related hospitalization rates are 4 times higher and mortality rates are 10 times higher in patients with cancer compared with the general population. Authors of a Cochrane review found evidence that influenza vaccination reduces mortality in this patient population (Eliakim-Raz et al., 2013)
References
Alaska Nurse. (2013, Oct/Nov). Flu Vaccines: Patient Education. Alaska Nurse, 63(4). Retrieved from http://library.neit.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=107934716&site=ehost-live
CDC. (2015, August 21). Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm
CDC. (2015, August 28). Narcolepsy Following Pandemrix Influenza Vaccination in Europe. Retrieved from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/history/narcolepsy-flu.html
CDC. (2015, December 21). Vaccine Effectiveness – How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work? Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
CDC. (2015, April). Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary-Appendix B. Retrieved from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/b/excipient-table-2.pdf
DHHS. (May, 2015 4). Flu Key Facts. Retrieved from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
Knapton, S. (2015, October 29). Statins could stop flu jab working properly. Daily Telegraph . Retrieved from http://library.neit.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=8Q2105586518&site=ehost-live
Luther, D. (2013, January 12). Five Reasons Why I’ll Never Get a Flu Shot. Retrieved from The Organic Prepper: http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/five-reasons-why-ill-never-get-a-flu-shot-01122013
Mercola, D. (2015, December 1). Flu Flop: Another Year of Dangerous CDC Lies. Retrieved from Mercola.com: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/12/01/another-flu-vaccine-flop.aspx
Morelli, R. (2013, September 16). 11 Reasons Why Flu Shots Are More Dangerous Than A Flu. Retrieved from Conspiracy Analyst: https://conspiracyanalyst.org/2013/09/16/11-reasons-why-flu-shots-are-more-dangerous-than-a-flu/
Understanding Thimerosal,Mercury, and Vaccine Safety. (2013, February). Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-thimerosal-color-office.pdf