Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Communicable DIseases Epidemiology Section. Wisconsin Department of Health Services.He does not report any conflict of interest and does not receive financial compensation for expressing this opinion). Ramallo is a pediatrician/intern who works for the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers. Even on these occasions, the vaccine continues to help the symptoms become milder and the recovery faster (2).Ĭonsider this information and talk to your health care professional-they will be happy to help you. We try to develop a more efficient vaccine every year, but some seasons are not as effective due to unexpected mutations in the virus. “I heard that it is not even effective”-unfortunately, the influenza virus can mutate quickly and frequently.Remember, that we as medics also get vaccinated. Instead, check with your doctor and follow their advice. It is important not to believe everything we read on the internet and to remember that the fact that it is on the web does not make it factual and accurate. An excellent source of information is the CDC’s federal agency site (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In general, vaccines go through a strict scientific process to make them safe and make sure that they work the way that is expected. Usually, these types of articles focus on tragic examples of people who firmly believe that the vaccine caused their problem. “I read an article on Facebook or saw a video on YouTube that says the vaccine is bad”-this emphasizes the fact that we need to get our news from reliable sources of information.Many scientific studies were conducted to ensure that the vaccine is safe for the population. Most people who have symptoms and blame the vaccine actually have a regular cold. The flu is more likely to send a patient to the hospital and cause other more serious complications such as pneumonia (1). These are two different conditions, but both appear during the cold months and may cause similar symptoms. This is because we confuse a cold (common cold viruses) with the flu (influenza virus). “The last time I got the vaccine I became sick!” –This is a little more complicated, as many patients who develop any symptoms after the vaccination arrives at this conclusion (either days or weeks after receiving it).That’s all! Any other side effect is considered extremely rare and unlikely. The most common side effects of the vaccine include a little pain in the arm (by injection) and rarely a low short-term fever. Our body is able to recognize parts of the virus that “died” in the vaccine without infecting us because the virus is dead. “ I heard that the vaccine makes one sick…” – This is false.Here are some of the most common excuses I hear in my office day to day: But we also want you to make decisions about your health (and that of your children) based on good scientific and objective information-not based on stories or rumors from the neighborhood or the internet. Health professionals usually appreciate when our patients take a deeper interest in their health. “Today you get your vaccines, including the flu vaccine.” At Sixteenth Street, where I work as a primary doctor, I have this conversation very often:

Getting a flu vaccine not only helps you, but also lowers the risk for your children and grandparents.

2019 flu shot side effect