Although the flu shot has proven to be the best protector against influenza, there still are people who don’t get the vaccine. Many of these hold outs believe the myriad of myths about the flu and its vaccine that circulate each year. Since influenza can be serious, even fatal, it’s crucial these misconceptions and rumors are debunked.
Director of Employee Health and Wellness Jill Fragoso and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working hard to do just that and address three of the most popular myths below.
Myth #1: The flu vaccine can give you the flu.
“That is absolutely a misconception,” Fragoso said. “You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.”
The vaccine contains inactivated, or dead, viruses, making it impossible for the vaccine to infect you, Fragoso explained.
The vaccine might cause some side effects – the most common of which are soreness where the shot was given, maybe a low fever or achiness – but it will not cause the flu itself, the CDC reports.
Myth #2: Healthy people don’t need to get the flu vaccine.
It’s true that those most likely to become seriously ill or die from the flu are: 65 and older, younger than 5, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.
But even healthy people can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications from it. That’s why the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine, not just those who are at high risk of getting the virus.
“We recommend all employees receive the flu shot,” Fragoso said. “Especially since we are working with vulnerable populations.”
Myth #3: You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.
This is not true for two reasons:
- Flu viruses are constantly changing, and different flu viruses circulate and cause illness each season. Flu vaccines are made each year to protect against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common.
- A person’s immunity from the flu vaccine declines over time. So, an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection.
The CDC recommends getting the seasonal vaccine as soon as it’s available since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop. The agency also recommends offering the vaccine throughout the flu season, which typically begins in October and lasts through January.
Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.
Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic.
And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3 , we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1. As of October 3, we were more than half way there.