Influenza or flu is a common menace during winter. It is caused by the influenza virus and commonly causes flu. During this COVID 19 pandemic, it is more vulnerable. Flu is highly contagious. It causes hundreds and thousands of hospitalized and numerous deaths every year. There comes an influenza vaccine or flu shot which is commonly available and successfully able to protect us from the adverse effect of flu. However, there are many myths around it whether or not you should take a flu shot. Let’s analyze the pros and cons.
Is the flu vaccine safe for all?
The flu vaccine is very safe for most people. However, the following groups of people shouldn’t get it. They include:
- children less than 6 months of age
- people who previously had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients
- those who are allergic to egg or mercury
- those with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
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Can you get flu due to the flu vaccine?
This is a misconception among many people that while getting the flu vaccine they may catch up flu. This is not true because the influenza virus in this case is injected in an inactive form. Though some individuals show the following side effects that go away within a day –
- low-grade fever
- chills or headache
- swollen, red, tender area around the injection site
Benefits of flu vaccine
1. It is a prevention from flu
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you receive an influenza vaccine then it is the most effective way to prevent yourself from flu attack.
2. Feeling less sick
The flu vaccine does not ensure that you will not get the flu. Instead, it helps to keep your symptoms milder if you are already vaccinated.
3. Lower risk of hospitalizations or complications for certain people
For the following groups of people, hospitalization risks decrease at a commendable rate due to fewer complications if you have influenza vaccination. They include:
- children
- older adults
- pregnant women and their infants
- people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease.
4. Protects your community with Herd immunity
If you are influenza vaccinated then you are not only protecting yourself but also your surrounded community through herd community. This is especially true for young people.
Risks associated with the flu vaccine
1.You can still catch the influenza
It is not uncommon that you have taken the flu shot and are still down with the flu. This is because it takes around 2 weeks for your body to develop immunity to the vaccine. During this period if you are exposed to the virus you can catch influenza. Incorrect “vaccine match” may be another cause of this. Here researchers need to decide which strains to include in the vaccine many months before flu season actually starts. When there’s not a good match between the selected strains and the strains that actually end up circulating during flu season, the vaccine isn’t as effective.
2. Severe allergic reaction
Some people may have a negative reaction to the flu shot. If you have a negative reaction to the vaccine, symptoms usually occur within minutes to hours after receiving the vaccine. Symptoms may include:
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- rapid heartbeat
- rash or hives
- swelling around the eyes and mouth
- feeling weak or dizzy
If you experience these symptoms after getting the flu vaccine, see your doctor. If the reaction is severe, go to the emergency room.
3. Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition where your immune system begins to attack your peripheral nerves. It’s very rare, but influenza virus vaccination can trigger the condition.
If you’ve already had Guillain-Barré syndrome, speak to your doctor before getting vaccinated
When should you take the influenza vaccine?
You need to get the shot every year. There are mainly two reasons behind it. The first is, our body’s immune response to influenza decreases over a period of time. Receiving the vaccine is a booster for this immune property. Another reason is influenza virus often takes mutation. As a result, the symptoms patterns change.
Vaccines also get updated depending on the symptoms. So, it is necessary to take the vaccine every year. Manufacturers typically begin shipping the flu vaccine in August. People are often encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as it’s available. If you don’t receive your vaccination by the end of October, it isn’t too late. However, getting vaccinated later can still provide protection against the influenza virus.