Understanding The Flu Vaccine

Given annually, the seasonal flu shot protects against three common viruses: One Influenza A [H3N2] virus, one regular seasonal Influenza A (H1N1) virus (this is not the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus) and one Influenza B virus. The flu shot is usually meted out by injection on the upper arm. It is important to keep in mind that a seasonal flu shot will not protect against the pandemic H1N1 virus also known as ‘Swine Flu’.

Significantly reducing your chances of infection, the flu vaccination if not taken could result in serious flu-related complications among the high risk sectors such as the elderly, young children and pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that annually more than 200,000 people are hospitalized while 36,000 succumb to the flu.The most serious threat during the 2009-2010 influenza season is the pandemic H1N1 virus. While a vaccine has been developed for the virus, it will be available this fall, but must be used in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine and not simply as a substitute. CDC recommendations regarding the virus include that pregnant women, caretakers of children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between 6 months-24 years of age and those between ages 25-64 are at a higher risk for H1N1 infections and should be given priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

The vaccination has mild side effects such as soreness, redness, swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever or even muscle aches.
If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis to previous flu shots, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a six week window of receiving the influenza vaccine, then you should not receive the flu shot. Discuss postponing flu shots if you have a fever or any other moderate or severe acute illness.