Title: Dispelling Myths about the Flu Shot: Key Facts for the Upcoming Flu Season
By Marc Lallanilla
Published Oct. 2, 2023, 6:28 p.m. ET
As temperatures drop, the flu season is approaching, and it becomes important to address common misconceptions regarding the flu shot and the virus itself. Last year’s flu season witnessed an early start, higher pediatric hospitalizations and deaths, and the coexistence of three respiratory viruses – the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 26 million flu-related illnesses, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths in the United States alone.
Here are six key medical facts that dispel myths about the flu shot:
1. Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu.
Fact: This is not possible as the flu shot contains an inactive virus. While some individuals may experience mild symptoms like achiness or a runny nose, it is unrelated to influenza. Any case of flu-like illness after vaccination is likely due to an existing infection or an unrelated upper-respiratory sickness.
2. Myth: The flu is not that serious.
Fact: Globally, the flu claims up to 650,000 lives annually, making it a severe infectious disease. Unlike a common cold or seasonal allergies, the flu manifests severe symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, trouble breathing, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, headache, fatigue, and diarrhea. Infants, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to serious complications.
3. Myth: Pregnant women shouldn’t get the flu shot.
Fact: On the contrary, the CDC recommends that all pregnant women get vaccinated against the flu. Pregnant women face a higher risk of complications from the flu, and getting the shot protects not only them but also their newborns for months after delivery. Pregnant women should receive the flu vaccine in shot form and avoid nasal spray.
4. Myth: If you got the flu or the vaccine last year, you’re safe.
Fact: Each year, a different strain of the flu virus circulates, necessitating an annual flu shot. The flu vaccine’s potency decreases over time, making an updated shot necessary. The recently concluded flu season in the Southern Hemisphere saw the current 2023-2024 flu vaccines perform well against circulating viruses, indicating high effectiveness. A CDC study showed that vaccinated individuals in the Southern Hemisphere were half as likely to be hospitalized with the flu.
5. Myth: You’re safe if you’re young and healthy.
Fact: Anyone can get the flu, including young and healthy individuals. Moreover, even if they don’t experience severe symptoms, they can unknowingly spread the virus to high-risk individuals, potentially causing fatalities. The economic impact of flu-related absenteeism among young people is substantial.
6. Myth: The flu vaccine has many side effects.
Fact: The flu vaccine is one of the safest and most reliable vaccines available. Mild side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, are rare and easily manageable. Severe side effects are exceptionally rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the negligible risks.
As the new flu season approaches, it is crucial to dispel these myths and encourage the public to get vaccinated. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also plays a significant role in preventing the spread of the flu and reducing its impact on public health and the economy.
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