Fun Facts About Flu Vaccines

Flu Vaccines, A Prelude to this Week's Vaccinology Day (10/23) and Next Week's Fluology Day

Some fun facts!

1.) Flu shots take approximately 2 weeks to fully protect you from influenza infection.  Get one ASAP, not after flu season starts

2.) Traditional flu vaccines do not, cannot, give you the flu.  They are composed of killed viral particles.  FluMist is live, but severely attenuated.  If this still worries you, go with the classic needle variety and you'll be fine.

3.) Respiratory tract infections (often secondary pneumonia following influenza) are annually in the top 10 leading causes of adult deaths in the US.  True story.

4.) Influenza leads to lots of lost productivity at work, and has an actual, quantifiable economic impact.  Get a flu shot so your co-workers won't hate you for passing along work (or worse yet, huddling and sniveling at your desk).

5.) Seriously, why risk it?  Flu clinics are often offered by employers and by elementary schools (ours is soon!), but there is always the CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Whatever-your-grocer-of-choice-with-a-pharmacy option is!  No excuses for lack of access.  Make time and stay healthy! 

Bonus: If you do not get a flu shot and go to the ER with a fever because you think you have Ebola, you're a serious jackwagon.  That's all that can be said.