As the weather starts to get colder, so too begins the great debate about whether it’s a good idea to get a preventative flu shot. Health authorities and many doctors recommend that certain groups of people get the flu shot at this time of the year, while others argue strenuously against it.Below is a brief guide to the pros and cons of flu shots:
Why you should get the flu shot
Officially known as the flu vaccine, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months should get the flu shot. Every year, medical experts calibrate a new vaccine to combat the latest variants of the flu virus. It is important, however, to realize that not all flu shots are created the same. Your doctor or healthcare professional will choose the right one for you, if you elect to get the shot. There are different formulas for pregnant and nursing women, as well as individuals who suffer from certain chronic illnesses. Some medical professionals believe that only certain groups of people who are particularly susceptible to the flu should get the vaccine. These include:
- Pregnant women, and women who recently delivered a child
- Residents of long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and group homes
- Adults aged 65 or older
- Native Americans
- Alaskan Natives
- Children younger than 5 (children under 2 are particularly high risk)
- Anyone living in an institutional setting (hospital, prison, barracks, etc)
- People suffering from asthma, COPD, or other respiratory ailments
- People who have sickle cell disease
- People with metabolic disorders
- Extremely obese people (BMI 40 or higher)
- Anyone suffering from a kidney, liver, metabolic, or endocrine disorder
If you fall into one of the above categories, it may be a good idea to get a flu shot.
Why you shouldn’t get the flu shot
Some people strongly advocate against getting the flu shot, particularly for individuals who aren’t at a high risk of developing serious flu-related illnesses. Here are some of the arguments commonly used against getting the vaccine:
- Even with the shot, there’s still a 20% chance you could get the flu
- The flu shot doesn’t protect against H1N1, which will require a second shot
- Many people experience soreness, swelling, and discomfort in the arm after receiving a shot
- Some people develop a low-grade fever after being vaccinated
- People who are allergic to eggs are ineligible to receive the flu shot
- The flu vaccine contains thimerosal, which has a small amount of mercury
- There is some evidence that people who receive the shot have a slightly elevated risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome
As with all serious medical issues, you should discuss the matter of whether or not to get the flu vaccine this year with your doctor before deciding what is best for you.