Sick or a Shot - Should You Get a Flu Vaccine?

There are many types of influenza viruses floating around the world. Some flu viruses are more deadly than others are, but all can cause problems. Each year different strains of flu are poised to infect large numbers of people. Influenza can be a deadly disease. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that in the United States each year about 200,000 people are hospitalized from the flu and of those, about 36,000 will die.

The flu vaccine is really sort of a medical marvel. Every year a new flu vaccine is produced. By learning what viruses are presently causing disease in other parts of the world, by knowing what strains were present the year before, and by other research, scientists come up with an educated guess each year as to what types of flu viruses they will need to prevent. A vaccine used the year before seldom is effective the next year.

Each vaccine will generally protect you from 3 strains of flu virus. Flu season begins in this hemisphere in October and the flu vaccine has to be ready each year by that time. If the vaccine was matched fairly well to the type of flu virus that is causing illness this year, a vaccine in a healthy person between 2 and 65 years old will be very effective.

Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine?

Anyone who doesn't want to get the flu should get a vaccine. If you ever have had a bad case of the flu, you know you never want it again. In most years there is enough vaccine to give everyone who wants it the vaccine, but in some years, when vaccine is limited for some reason, the vaccine may be limited to those who are most at risk of serious complications from the flu.

Anyone who has a chronic disease, those over 50, children 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, people who are confined to nursing facilities and people who work in medical fields are most at risk of getting the flu and having complications.

In these people a flu shot is strongly recommended.

If you are allergic to eggs or poultry or have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past it is not recommended you get the vaccine. Vaccines are prepared using these products. If you have had the flu already this year you probably don't need a vaccine. If you are sick, your doctor will advise you if it is safe for you to get the vaccine.

What if I Don't Like Shots?

For those people who would rather be sick than get a shot there is good news. A healthy person aged 2 years to 59 years

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