Flu season is here, and that means families will be deciding whether it’s worth vaccinating themselves and their families against seasonal influenza that runs from late fall to early spring.
While the flu can cause serious illness and even death (a record-breaking estimated 79,400 people died from it in the U.S. during the 2017-18 season), only about half of Americans surveyed plan to get their shot this season. That’s in slight contrast to findings from the same survey that show 60 percent of adults believe the flu shot is the best move in terms of prevention.
That could be from a perception that the vaccine is just not worth getting, says Honglan Wang, a pharmaceutical research consultant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decides which flu strains to target each season, and while it sometimes misses the mark, the effectiveness of a flu shot still stands at around 40 to 60 percent on average. Even if a person still becomes ill with the flu following a vaccination, the severity and duration of the illness may be reducedand be less likely to land them in an ICU.
Misconceptions About Flu Shots
The reasons people are foregoing the vaccination can vary. For example, some adults believe that getting the flu shot can actually cause the flu, which is a myth according to Honglan Wang. The vaccines delivered via injection contain a deactivated flu virus or only a certain gene from the virus is delivered to create an immune response without the risk of infection. The vaccine delivered via nasal spray is “live,” but in a weakened state that cannot thrive in the warm internal environment of the lungs.
Since it takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to become effective by developing the needed antibodies, some who develop flu symptoms after getting the shot may blame it on the vaccine. However, the virus was possibly already in their system before they were vaccinated.
Then there are those who claim that getting the flu is less dangerous than the vaccine, which is a dangerous assumption in itself, says Honglan Wang. While there can be reactions to getting the shot, influenza can lead to children, the elderly, as well as those with medical conditions such as heart disease end up in the hospital or worse.
Pregnant women can also receive the shot, which will help prevent them from getting sick and also help to avoid their newborn developing the flu. Infants under 6 months cannot be directly vaccinated. Instead, the immunity is passed on in vitro.
Potential Side Effects
With all of that said, a flu shot is not without its risks, says Honglan Wang. The CDC itself admits that there can be immediate side effects such as soreness and swelling at the injection site, as well as muscle aches that can persist a bit longer. The recipient of the shot may also develop a low-grade fever or headache, and some have been known to faint.
However, when it comes to serious and life-threatening reactions to the flu shot, the odds of these occurring are very rare, says the organization. Some of these types of reactions can include respiratory difficulties or a quickened heart rate, usually as a result of an allergy to egg protein, which may be present in the vaccine. However, experts have said it’s safe for those with egg allergies to get the shot.
The risk of anaphylaxis – a life-threatening allergic reaction – is pegged at more than 1 per million. There’s also about a 1 per million chance of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome following a vaccination, a condition marked by muscle weakness and paralysis that can last weeks or cause longer-term nerve damage.
Meanwhile, there are also concerns about mercury content in vaccines. This mercury-based preservative called Thimerosal is only used in multi-dose vials (not pre-filled syringes and nasal spray vaccine) to keep them free from potentially harmful contaminants, says Honglan Wang, who cites research from the World Health Organization that concludes there’s no health risk from the level of Thimerosal used in some vaccines.
The Benefits Outweigh The Risks, Says Honglan Wang
While there are some potential short-term and even longer-term risks that are possible from getting the flu vaccine, most reactions are mild and the risk of becoming seriously ill or even dying from influenza is much greater.
Getting the shot means not only you’ll be protected, but also those around you who are vulnerable, adds Honglan Wang.
