Get your flu shot.
About a decade ago, I suddenly felt overwhelmingly fatigued and had to lie down. Once at home, I collapsed into bed with a fever soaring to 103 degrees. Even with Tamiflu, I spent six days on the couch, suffering from cold-like symptoms. I hadn’t received a flu vaccine that year.
Fast forward two years, my family and I all got vaccinated. During Christmas, we experienced mild body aches, fevers, and sore throats. My husband tested positive for the flu, but our symptoms were laughably mild; I even managed to sew pajama pants for my kids while feeling under the weather. Our fevers never exceeded 101 degrees, and we bounced back within three days.
Some might argue that my flu shot was ineffective since we contracted the virus, but our cases were so mild that they hardly compared to what I endured before when I didn’t get vaccinated. Importantly, my husband, who is susceptible to bronchitis and pneumonia, remained healthy. Those flu shots worked.
Misinformation surrounding the flu vaccine is rampant. In today’s world, avoiding unnecessary doctor visits is crucial. If you have the opportunity to get vaccinated, you should seize it.
Understanding Vaccine Effectiveness
The effectiveness of any flu vaccine depends on how accurately scientists can predict which viral strains will be prevalent. The flu virus mutates rapidly, and its efficacy has varied from a disappointing 19% to a more favorable 60% between 2009 and 2019. However, a vaccine you don’t receive can’t protect you from illness. According to the Mayo Clinic, even if you contract the flu after vaccination, your symptoms are likely to be less severe, and the vaccine can significantly lower your risk of complications and hospitalizations—something we all want to avoid.
Myth: The Flu Vaccine Gives You The Flu
The Mayo Clinic clearly states: “No. The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu.” This is a misconception; the flu shot is made from either inactivated (dead) virus or a single protein from the influenza virus. While nasal spray vaccines contain a weakened live virus, they cannot make you sick.
Vaccine skeptics often believe that the flu shot will cause the flu for a few reasons. Some experience normal vaccine side effects and mistake them for flu symptoms. Common reactions include low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches, while the nasal spray may lead to runny nose or mild cough. However, the CDC emphasizes that these reactions are far less severe than actual flu symptoms. Additionally, immunity from the flu shot takes about two weeks to develop, so if you are exposed to the virus during this period, it might appear as though you contracted the flu from the vaccine.
Concerns About Big Pharma
A study published in Social Science Medicine revealed that some individuals hesitate to get vaccinated due to skepticism regarding the profit-driven medical industry. Many believe that yearly flu vaccinations are a scheme since we don’t need annual measles shots. However, the flu virus evolves so quickly that vaccinations are necessary to maintain immunity, especially for those who receive shots early in the season.
While it is true that vaccines are a profitable venture, if they weren’t, companies wouldn’t make them. According to The Atlantic, in 1967, 27 companies produced vaccines, but by 1980, only 17 remained. This indicates that vaccine production must be profitable to sustain availability.
Affording a Vaccine
Most insurance plans cover the cost of flu shots. For instance, mine was free at my local pharmacy this year. If you’re insured through the Affordable Care Act or Medicare Part B, your shot is also free. Many clinics and health departments offer free vaccinations, and colleges often provide them to students and staff at no charge. If you lack insurance, the cost typically ranges from $20 to $50, but free options are often available.
Take Action Now
This year, health officials are concerned about a possible “Twindemic.” Last year, we experienced a relatively mild flu season, but there were still millions of cases, hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths. The medical system is already strained, and minimizing the burden on healthcare facilities is more important than ever. Getting vaccinated can help keep ICU beds available and prevent the spread of the virus to vulnerable individuals.
The flu shot is effective, it won’t give you the flu, and while pharmaceutical companies do profit from it, their involvement is essential for vaccine production. By getting vaccinated, you contribute to the collective effort to manage our health system during these challenging times.
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Summary:
This article explores common misconceptions about the flu vaccine, debunking myths that it can cause the flu and discussing its efficacy. It emphasizes the importance of flu vaccinations in reducing the severity of the virus and the strain on healthcare systems, especially during challenging times. With various options for affordable vaccinations, getting the flu shot is a civic responsibility that can protect both individual and community health.