It’s flu season!
Yaaaaaayyyyyy!
That means it’s time for myths, inaccuracies, and “internet doctors” to try and convince everyone the flu vaccine is evil.
Let’s address some of the foolishness, shall we?
- The flu vaccine does not give people the flu. If they get the flu after the vaccine there is a good chance they were already exposed to the flu virus before vaccination or right after receiving the vaccine (it can take up to 2 weeks to develop immunity).
- The flu vaccine is not made with a live flu virus. The virus used in the vaccine is dead.
- People still need to get the vaccine every year.
- Vaccines DO NOT cause autism (let’s let this lie finally die, ok?)
- Yes, there are sometimes multiple strains of the flu virus. That does not mean there is no point in getting vaccinated.
- While it is recommended for the young and the elderly, even healthy young people can benefit from getting the vaccine for protection.
- For those people that think getting the flu will help build your immunity better than getting the vaccine, no. Just… no. The flu can be deadly. Don’t play with your health like that!
- It is considered safe to get the vaccine while pregnant.
- Yes, the vaccine contains some additives, however, they are in small amounts and considered safe (Here is a list of what’s in the typical flu vaccine and why).
- Those “essential oils” are not going to effectively protect against the flu.
Flu season occurs every year and every year the same misconceptions pop up. As health care providers, it is our duty to educate and provide as much accurate information as possible. There is a wealth of information (like this, or this, and this) that can help us provide evidence-based information to our patients whenever possible. Of course we won’t be able to convince every patient we talk to but hey, we can try!
Barely Sane Nurse 