Should You Get the Flu Shot?

Guidelines on Who Should Get an Influenza Vaccine

Sep 1, 2008 Kellie Anderson

There are certain high-risk people who should get the flu vaccine every year.

With flu season upon us, it’s important to understand the guidelines on who should receive a flu vaccine. Infants and children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic diseases are at risk of suffering complications from the flu.

Why Get the Flu Vaccine?

Most people who get the flu feel terrible for a few days, and then make a full recovery. However, some people may suffer complications from the flu that can lead to severe illness.

According to the CDC, on average, every year in the United States:

• Between 5-20% of the population gets the flu
• Over 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications
• About 36,000 people die from flu

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Unlike recent years, there is no expected shortage of the flu vaccine, with available doses at an all-time high. Therefore, anyone who wants to reduce his likelihood of getting the flu should be vaccinated. Those at highest risk of suffering complications from the flu should be sure to get the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say members of the following groups should be vaccinated:

• Children from age 6 months to 19 years
• Pregnant women
• Adults over 50
• Anyone with chronic health conditions
• Those in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• People who care for anyone in the above groups, including health care workers, parents, and daycare workers
• People who live with or care for infants under 6 months. They are too young for the flu vaccine but are at high risk of flu complications and must not be exposed to anyone who has the flu

When Should You Get Vaccinated?

The flu vaccine is available from your doctor or flu clinics beginning in late summer or early fall. In addition to the flu shot, there is also a nasal-spray flu vaccine. Getting one vaccine will protect you from the flu all season. Children who are getting their first flu vaccine will have to have a second dose at least four weeks after the first dose. You must get the flu shot every year to stay protected.

What are the Risks of the Flu Vaccine?

The vaccine has some side effects, including soreness, redness, and swelling where you received the shot, low fever, and general aches. For most people, the benefit of getting the flu shot far outweighs these side effects.

Some people worry they will get sick from getting the flu vaccine. However, the vaccine contains strains of the flu that have been inactivated, meaning they are unable to cause the flu.

The vaccine protects you against the three main types of flu that researchers predict will cause the most flu in any given flu season. You may still get a mild version of one of these types of flu, even if you get vaccinated. You may also get a different type of flu not covered by the vaccine. Still, getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. And for those most vulnerable to complications of the flu, the vaccine is a necessity.

Reference

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention -- Influenza

Related Reading

Readers who found this article helpful may also be interested in reading Flu Shot Guidelines for Kids, How Vaccines Work, and Flu Vaccine Helps Prevent Sickness.

The copyright of the article Should You Get the Flu Shot? in General Medicine is owned by Kellie Anderson. Permission to republish Should You Get the Flu Shot? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Flu Vaccine is Necessary for High-Risk People

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Oct 13, 2008 10:36 AM

Guest :

I found some information from an immunization awareness group ECBT-Every Child By Two. I am so torn..Austism risk on one hand, and on the other, we have this group saying that for kids 6 mos to 9 year, they should get two vaccinations if this is their first. What? Kids DIE from the flu, so I sure would appreciate some clear information/advice. If anyone knows the straight story about double flue vaccination business, please post a comment. Here is my source: http://newsinfusion.com/video_details.php?videoId=234

Oct 13, 2008 10:55 AM

Kellie Anderson :

Thanks for your comment; I understand your concerns. As a mom of two little ones, I've researched this issue. Without making a judgment one way or the other, I can state that there is no scientific evidence that mercury in vaccines causes autism. This has been studied by reputable institutions, including the CDC and IOM, for many years. Some people still believe there is a link between autism and vaccines, despite hundreds of studies that show this is not the case.

Morever, almost all vaccines are now mercury-free and have been for years, and autism rates continue to rise. Some flu shots do contain extremely small amounts of mercury, but since there's no scientific evidence this causes autism, and there is strong evidence that children are especially susceptible to the flu and its secondary illnesses, most doctors recommend healthy children up to age 19 get the flu shot.

You may be interested in my article, "Flu Shot Guidelines for Kids" that explains why two flu shots are needed: http://vaccinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/flu_shot_guidelines_for_kids
How Vaccines Work (http://vaccinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_vaccines_work) also explains why it's important for your child to get the flu vaccine to protect others.

Suite101 also has an entire section related to autism and aspergers: http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/

Most important, talk to your child's pediatrician if you have lingering questions or concerns.

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