The Truth About Flu Shots
Separate the facts from the myths
Protecting our patients
That’s what employee health nurses like Cheryl Hartman, R.N., do by administering flu shots to health care workers.
Flu season is upon us. Influenza and related complications are responsible for 36,000 U.S. deaths annually, but those are largely preventable with the flu vaccine.
“A flu shot can protect you, your family and our patients,” says Luther Rhodes, M.D., chief, infectious diseases. “Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do.” If you’re a health care worker and choose not to be vaccinated, you must fill out a declination form. If you’re waiting to get vaccinated because you want to know the facts, wait no more. Here’s a quick guide:
If you get a flu shot, you’ll have painful side effects and get the flu.
MYTH. The flu shot contains a killed virus, so you can’t get the flu from it. The vaccine can reduce the chances of getting the flu by 70-90 percent in healthy adults. The vaccine will not protect you from other viruses like colds. The most common side effects are mild soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site. “But the flu is much worse than a sore arm,” says employee health director Carol Guanowsky, R.N. An inhaled vaccine, FluMist, is an alternative. It contains live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu and is an option if you’re healthy, under age 50 and not pregnant. A flu shot is recommended if you’re pregnant. Children should be vaccinated from age 6 months and up. FluMist is OK for children who are 2 and older who do not have a history of wheezing.
If you have a medical condition, you should not get the shot.
MYTH. You shouldn’t get a flu shot if you have a severe allergy to eggs, a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Flu shots use very small amounts of a preservative called thimerisol (also found in other vaccines and nasal medications). If you’ve had a severe reaction to thimerisol, you might consider thimerisol-free FluMist.
If you’re young and healthy, you won’t get the flu.
MYTH. Everyone can get the flu. Every year people of all ages and health histories get sick enough to be admitted
to our hospitals.
You only need to be vaccinated if you work in patient care.
MYTH. Regardless of where you work, you are in contact with colleagues who work in patient care. You can bring the flu in from the outside or bring it home to your family.
It’s too late to get a flu shot.
MYTH. We offer flu shots throughout the season. Get one soon since it takes a few weeks to develop protection.
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
