You may not consider yourself at much risk of coming down with the flu. But if you are a parent, a co-worker or part of a household where someone has a chronic disease, you may be more vulnerable to its complications than you realize. Unlike some past years, flu vaccine supplies this year are plentiful. And regional health care experts are urging people to take advantage of it, preferably in the next few weeks. Here are some things to consider about flu vaccinations.
5 MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT FLU VACCINE
1. The flu vaccine can actually give you the flu.
The flu shot consists of an inactivated vaccine that includes killed virus that will trigger your body to produce antibodies against certain strains of the flu, but it will not cause you to come down with the virus.
While some people experience a runny nose, muscle aches, a slight fever or some redness or soreness around the injection site, these side effects usually are mild and rarely last more than two days.
2. One flu vaccination protects you for life.
This is not the case because the flu strains likely to be most prevalent tend to change every year.
3. No one needs more than one dose a season.
For the first time this year, children under age 9 who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time are being advised to receive two doses within the same flu season, spaced at least 30 days apart.
4. The only way to be vaccinated is with a needle.
Some people decline flu vaccinations for themselves or their children because they are averse to needle sticks.
There is an alternative called LAIV or live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist), that comes in the form of a nasal spray. LAIV consists of weakened forms of live viruses, but as with the shot, the nasal spray will not give you the flu.
The CDC recommends the nasal spray for healthy people from age 2 to 49 who are not pregnant and people who do not have breathing or respiratory problems. The shot and the nasal spray are about equally effective in preventing the flu, but neither prevents the flu 100 percent of the time.
5. Flu vaccines contain the controversial thimerosal.
The CDC emphasizes that studies have never established a link between thimerosal, which is a preservative included in most flu vaccines, and developmental disorders such as autism.
However, many people still have concerns about the ingredient. For these individuals, there is a thimerosal-free vaccine available this year, although your doctor or clinic may not have it in stock.
People interested in the thimerosal-free vaccine should inquire about its availability ahead of time.
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[SOURCES: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION]WHO NEEDS THE VACCINE MOST?
People at higher risk of being exposed to the flu or of developing complications from the virus should definitely be vaccinated, according to health officials. This recommendation applies to a large group of people, including:
* Children ages 6 months to 5 years
* People older than 50
* Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
* Adults and children with chronic conditions or immune deficiencies
* Caregivers of young children or adults older than 50
* Household contacts of any person who is at heightened risk of complications from flu
* Residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities
WHO SHOULD NOT GET VACCINATED?
* People who are allergic to chicken eggs or egg products
* People who have had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the past
* People who have developed Guillain-Barr syndrome, an inflammatory disorder which affects the peripheral nerves, within six weeks of getting the flu vaccine in the past
* Children younger than 6 months of age
* Anyone who is sick with a fever should wait until their symptoms clear up before getting the flu vaccine.
[COX NEWS SERVICE]Mary Neer (left) receives a flu shot from Bertha Dear at a CVS pharmacy in Brooklyn, N.Y. [ AP PHOTO ]