Flu Shot: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives
Should You Get the Influenza Vaccination, and Why?
Dec 15, 2008
Influenza is a very unpleasant illness, causing fatigue, malaise, aches and often a high fever. It can also cause complications such as pneumonia, which can be deadly, especially in the sick and elderly. Fortunately vaccination can usually prevent these complications.
Efficacy of the Influenza Vaccine
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, of which there are three types: A, B and C, but each type of virus is constantly mutating, thus requiring a new vaccine formulation for each season. The efficacy of the influenza vaccination depends on how successfully the currently epidemic influenza strains have been predicted.
There are several different types of viruses that can cause viral nasopharyngitis or the common cold, which is sometimes erroneously referred to as "flu". The influenza vaccination does not prevent the common cold or reduce its severity.
The flu jab is not as effective for old people as it for the young, because the immune system of the elderly is not as efficient any more. Immunosuppressive illnesses and drugs such as corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) can also hinder the efficacy of the vaccine, but these people are also at an increased risk of influenza complications.
In the elderly the vaccination reduces deaths from influenza by as much as 80%, pneumonia and hospitalizations by 50% and actual influenza cases by 30%. Thus, it is not very effective in reducing the infection altogether, but tends to make it much milder.
The efficacy of the flu shot can be increased by taking vitamin D and possibly ginseng.
Risks
Vaccinations have been accused of causing all sorts of problems, such as autism. There have been vaccines that have indeed been problematic, but there is no evidence that the flu jab is among them. Despite intense studies vaccinations have not been shown to cause autism.
Those who are immunocompromised or pregnant should not get the FluMist nasal spray vaccination, because it contains live viruses. FluMist is only recommended to healthy individuals between 5 and 49 years of age. It is impossible to catch influenza from the injected vaccines, though sometimes there may be mild flu-like symptoms for a few days.
The only people who should avoid the flu shot altogether are those who have in the past gotten a severe reaction to it, and those who are severely allergic to eggs.
Influenza vaccination is not likely to cause drug interactions, but those taking theophylline, phenytoin or anticoagulants should consult their physician first, because of possible interactions with vaccine and these medications.
Who Should Get the Flu Jab
Generally the influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone thought to be at an increased risk for influenza complications, such as those with chronic heart and lung diseases, immune system diseases and some other chronic conditions.
In most countries influenza vaccination is also recommended for those over 65 years old. In the U.S. it is also recommended for children under 18 years of age. If you do not know whether you are considered to be at risk, ask your healthcare provider.
Everyone who is busy with his or her career or studies should also consider a flu shot, as even without any complications influenza can make a healthy person sick for several weeks. Because the vaccine is very safe, everyone should consider getting it.
Other Ways to Prevent Influenza
There are medications that can be used to both prevent and treat influenza, but it becomes more expensive and less convenient compared to the flu shot, as they have to be taken throughout the flu season (or alternatively after possible exposure to the flu).
Amantadine, a cheap old drug which is also used to treat Parkinson's disease, used to be commonly prescribed, but it only works against the influenza A virus, and even most influenza A strains are now resistant to it. The newer drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are now more commonly used.
Washing the hands is a good way to prevent colds and the flu, though not a substitute for the vaccination, especially as influenza also spreads as aerosol (particles in the air). The complications of influenza can also be reduced by pneumococcal vaccination, as this bacteria causes a significant portion of pneumonia cases.
See Also
Differences between Common Colds and the Flu
Is Swine Flu Really a Major Danger?
