Keeping the Flu Vaccine Simple

Should I get a flu shot? Are flu shots safe? Why should I get a flu shot? Are flu shots dangerous? 

What is a flu vaccine?

A flu vaccine is a shot or spray that can keep you from getting the flu or make flu symptoms a lot less severe. There are different types of flu vaccines but all of them help your body’s immune system better defend itself against the flu. The most common version of the flu vaccine is a shot that contains inactivated flu virus. By getting this shot, you introduce your body to the disease it needs to fight so that it can prepare to defend you against the real thing. While the flu shot can have side effects, it’s important to remember that the flu shot will not give you the flu. 

Why do I need a flu vaccine?

We think of the flu like the common cold, but it’s a lot more serious than that. While many people fully recover from the flu, the USA also sees over 12,000 deaths every flu season. Even if you’ve had the flu before, it changes every season and brings new symptoms and complications.

The flu shot can help protect you from some serious complications like:

●      Pneumonia

●      Heart inflammation (Myocarditis)

●      Brain inflammation (Encephalitis)

●      Organ failure

●      Sepsis

●      Death

Who needs a flu vaccine?

Anyone over the age of six months should receive a flu vaccine. There are some exceptions, but if you’re over six months old, a flu vaccine is safe and goes a long way towards keeping you and your loved ones healthy.

The following people should NOT get a flu vaccine:

●      Children under the age of six months (pregnant people and parents of newborns SHOULD get the flu shot)

●      People who are allergic to gelatin or antibiotics

●      People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a past flu vaccine

If you know someone who falls into any of these categories, it’s even more important for you to be vaccinated so you can help protect them. 

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Yes, the flu vaccine has been proven multiple times over to be safe and is recommended not only by doctors, but by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and AMA (American Medical Association). There are always exceptions, but remember, 1 in 1 million will have serious side effects from the vaccine while 1 in 5 will get the flu and potentially have serious complications from the disease.

We recommend that all patients without possible allergies to this vaccine receive this immunization each year.

To find out more about SAC Health Services and talk to a caring doctor near you about the flu vaccine, visit www.sachealth.org/appointments.