Get your flu vaccine!
About ten years ago, I suddenly felt an overwhelming need to rest. I quickly collapsed into bed at home. My fever soared to 103 degrees, and despite taking Tamiflu, I spent six days on the couch in a miserable state, filled with coughs and aches. I hadn’t received a flu shot that year.
Fast forward to two years ago when my entire family got vaccinated. During Christmas, we all developed symptoms like body aches, fevers, and sore throats. My husband tested positive for the flu. Fortunately, our cases were remarkably mild; our fevers never exceeded 101 degrees. Just three days later, we were back on our feet.
Some might argue that my flu shot was ineffective since we contracted the flu. However, our symptoms were so mild that I even managed to sew pajama pants for my kids while feeling under the weather. We experienced no complications or extreme fatigue. My husband, who is prone to bronchitis, maintained healthy lungs. Those flu shots did their job!
There’s a lot of misinformation about the flu vaccine, including how it functions and its intended purpose. It’s crucial to minimize unnecessary visits to doctors or hospitals, so if you have the opportunity, you should get vaccinated.
The Flu Vaccine Isn’t Flawless
The effectiveness of each year’s flu vaccine hinges on scientists’ predictions of which viral strains will circulate, according to The New York Times. The flu virus mutates quickly; as reported by Science Magazine, vaccine efficacy ranged from just 19% to 60% between 2009 and 2019.
However, it’s essential to remember that a vaccine you don’t receive won’t protect you against illness. Importantly, as noted by the Mayo Clinic, if you do get vaccinated and still contract the flu, your symptoms are likely to be milder. Furthermore, a flu shot reduces the risk of severe complications and hospitalization, which is especially important during times when we want to avoid crowded medical facilities.
The Flu Vaccine Will Not Cause the Flu
As clearly stated by the Mayo Clinic: “No. The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu.” This is a biological impossibility. The flu shot is made with either an inactivated (dead) virus or a single protein from the virus. Although the nasal spray contains a live, weakened virus, it cannot cause illness.
Despite this, there’s a widespread belief that flu shots can lead to the flu, a myth I once held myself. According to the Mayo Clinic, this misconception arises due to a few factors. People may mistake normal vaccine reactions for mild flu cases. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms like low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches after receiving the flu shot. Those opting for the nasal spray might experience runny noses, coughing, and other minor symptoms. However, the CDC notes that these reactions are significantly less severe than the actual flu.
It’s also worth noting that immunity from a flu shot takes about two weeks to establish. Therefore, if you’re exposed to the virus during that time, it may appear as if the shot caused your illness when it didn’t. And if you haven’t had a positive flu test, it’s possible you simply endured a particularly bad cold or another virus.
Concerns About Big Pharma
In a study featured in Social Science Medicine, many participants cited skepticism about the profit-driven medical industry as a reason for not getting vaccinated. A common sentiment was that the healthcare system profits more from treating illnesses than preventing them. Some pointed to the requirement for annual flu shots as evidence against its necessity—unlike the measles vaccine, which isn’t given annually. However, because the flu virus evolves so rapidly, those vaccinated in early fall may lose immunity by late spring, as explained by Science Magazine.
It’s undeniable that vaccines are profitable. If they weren’t, manufacturers would be disinclined to produce them. In 1967, 27 companies made vaccines; by 1980, this number dwindled to 17 due to low profits. The answer to vaccine shortages is clear: if they become unprofitable, companies will stop making them.
Affording Your Vaccine
If you have insurance, it likely covers the cost of the flu shot. In fact, mine was free at my local pharmacy this year. Those insured through the Affordable Care Act or Medicare Part B will also receive their shots at no charge. Various free clinics and county health departments offer flu shots at no cost, as do many colleges for students and faculty members. Even workplaces may provide free vaccinations.
If you don’t have insurance, you can typically find a flu shot for around twenty to fifty dollars, but with some effort, you can likely locate a free option.
Get Vaccinated Now!
This year, scientists are warning of a “Twindemic.” Last year, the flu season was relatively mild, with 39-56 million cases, 740,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 24,000-60,000 deaths. With Los Angeles facing zero ICU bed availability, the situation could worsen. Anything that can lighten the load on our already overwhelmed medical system transcends personal choice and becomes a civic responsibility.
To help alleviate pressure on healthcare resources, we all need to get the flu shot. It works, it won’t give you the flu, and so what if pharmaceutical companies profit from it? If they didn’t, they wouldn’t manufacture vaccines (unless the government took over, and that would lead to other complaints). By getting vaccinated, you’re potentially freeing up an ICU bed—not just for yourself but also for others like your grandmother or a friend with asthma.
Right now, we need everyone to step up to tackle COVID-19. We can’t afford to be complacent. So, roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated!
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Summary
The flu vaccine is essential for reducing the severity of flu cases and preventing complications. Misinformation about the vaccine, including the myth that it causes the flu, is widespread but unfounded. Vaccination is crucial for public health, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic, and many options are available to obtain the vaccine at little or no cost.