Do you get the flu vaccine every year? Nearly a quarter of
adults don’t get this annual vaccine for varying reasons. One of those reasons
is having a reaction to the vaccine. But very few people who get the flu shot
ever have a bad reaction to it.
The Flu Shot and Side Effects
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, there are 157 million to 168 million doses of the injectable flu
vaccine available this year. The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to
reduce the chance of getting the flu. Yet, the possibility of feeling lousy
from side effects keeps some adults away from the doctor’s office, community
center or pharmacy. Soreness at the shot site that lasts for maybe two days is
one of the aftereffects of the vaccine. Other complaints US Media Studios notes
people make after getting the shot are: headache, nausea, and muscle aches,
which can be the symptoms of influenza. These last perhaps a day or two and
then go away.
Who Should and Should Not Get the Flu Shot
Children 6 months old and everyone else and especially seniors.
Pregnant women can get the flu shot.
Children under 6 months should not get the flu shot.
Anyone with a severe egg allergy should not get the flu shot
The Flu Shot Myth
Every year we hear people say they won’t get the flu shot
because they think it will give them the flu. The truth is that the flu viruses
are inactive and therefore, non-infectious in the vaccine. One cannot get catch
the flu bug from getting a flu shot. If someone does happen to get the flu
after getting a flu vaccination, they were already exposed to the virus before
immunity from the vaccine was built up.
Stay healthy this fall and winter.
