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Are Flu Vaccines Recommended for Everybody?
from:This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding flu vaccines. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about this subject.
Reports from the Centers for Disease Control have stated that the single best way to avoid the spread of influenza is to get vaccinated every fall. A new vaccine is produced each year that contains the strains from three separate viruses based on evaluations about the strains that have circulated down south prior to our season here in the northern hemisphere. The protection provided from these viruses starts about two weeks after we receive an inoculation and antibodies begin to form in the body. Because the influenza virus is constantly changing it is advised that we need to get a new flu vaccine every year.
The CDC have a priority list consisting of special groups of people who have been placed there so that they can be given the flu vaccine first. These groups are made up of people who are most prone to be affected by a flu bug or have an affect on those they are personally around. Some of the groups most at risk include the elderly over age 65 and young children under the age of 6 months. Having chronic health conditions including heart or lung conditions that compromise respiratory functions, those with immunosuppressant or aspirin therapy patients are also in these groups. A large portion of the population who have a direct or indirect affect on the people at risk and are part of the group who should also be inoculated first include workers within the health care system, child day care workers and people who care for family members as this decreases the chance of getting the flu and therefore the possibly of spreading it to those who can be so adversely affected by this illness. The number of people who get a flu shot every year in the US alone are well over 90 million, so you can appreciate the immense undertaking this is.
There are two types of vaccines that are used today, one in a nasal spray and one that is injected. They are made differently and are not for everyone. The most popular one is the vaccine type injected into the arm of the patient. This version contains an inactivated or killed virus and can be dispensed to everyone 6 months old and over with or without health conditions. The nasal spray version is not for everyone as it is produced from a live virus and is recommended to be only administered to healthy people within the ages of 5 to 49. Pregnant women are advised not to take this version.
Neither of the vaccine versions are recommended for those who may have allergies to chicken eggs, had contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccination or had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past or are currently experiencing a fever due to an active bacterial or viral infection. Children under the age of 6 months are also not recommended for an inoculation.
Although some people are nervous about the side effects of having a flu shot, side effects if they do occur are relatively mild and last from one to two days only. Symptoms that have been observed from taking either version include body aches with muscle soreness, signs of swelling and sometimes redness around the injection site, a slight headache, minor sore throat, some nausea with possible vomiting and a mild fever. The above symptoms are by no means as dreadful as actual flu symptoms and are far more desirable than actually catching the flu bug. Can you remember the last time and how uncomfortable and debilitating an experiencing it was? Also we must not forget those at risk that we could be infecting by spreading the virus and the consequences that may bring. Many recent reports have stated that with the introduction of the flu shot the number of influenza cases and deaths have decreased considerably for seniors 65 and over and for children under 6 years old.
Please always remember that your family's physician should always be consulted with when making any decisions affecting your well being and flu vaccines are no exception.
May I suggest that this might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. It has been said that if we put it down on paper it will help us remember what's important for us and spur questions one might have about flu vaccines and our health.
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