Here’s what I’ve heard this year as the best reasons to take a pass on vaccinations against flu and pneumonia.
“I still get the flu, even when I get the flu shot.”
“I’m healthy and these shots weaken my own natural defenses.”
“I don’t need vaccines because I’m never sick.”
Thoughtful reasons, but they are still wrong. Let’s review what the flu and pneumonia vaccines offer.
Shooting the Flu. Fall is the best season to get the annual influenza shot. It’s reformulated each year with experts creating the vaccine in light of what strains are expected to hit America in the next few months. It can be tough to predict, as you may recall that last year’s three-strain vaccine didn’t quite hit the target. A different strain crept past that vaccine so we had a few more flus than hoped for. This year science put together a better vaccine protecting us against not three, but four strains.
Yes, some still got the “flu” even though they received the vaccine. That’s going to happen because the flu vaccine is not 100 percent protective. But those of us getting the vaccine get some extra immune support to fight the flu, should it break through. We won’t likely be as sick as the person without the flu shot. Remember, influenza is a respiratory disease, typically lasting 7-10 days with high fevers, body aches, cough and other miseries. The GI bug that gives us 24 hours of nausea and vomiting is not influenza, though we often call it the “flu” too. This vaccine doesn’t help against that one.
If you’re between the ages of 2 and 49, you may want to try the nasal mist vaccine. You avoid the poke and some studies find that in kids it provides better protection. If you’ve got asthma or other health concerns, you may be counseled to stick with the flu shot.
Finding Pneumo. There’s many types of pneumonia, a common lung infection. One of the nastiest ones is caused by the bacteria, Streptococcus pneumonia, so that infection is called pneumococcal pneumonia.
Those who think these immunizations weaken their natural systems don’t understand how one vaccine can actually strengthen our immune response to multiple variations of the disease. Anyone 65 or older should get immunized with the 13-strain vaccine (PCV13) to prime the pump. Then 6-12 months later the 23-strain variety (PPSV23) is recommended.
The 23-strain vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 19-64 if they smoke or if they have other health conditions like asthma or diabetes. Many more people are then protected from many different strains of pneumonia.
Infants routinely get the vaccine in a series of three shots. Studies suggest that the more we vaccinate children, the less we find the pneumococcal bacteria floating around the community. That helps stop the spread of disease for all of us.
A Great Reason to Get Vaccinated. Besides the protection these vaccines give you, they also help reduce the spread of these illnesses around your family and friends. If you’re vaccinated, you’re not as likely to spread the disease to someone else.
The person who has been fortunate to rarely fall ill is likely benefitting from the rest of us who regularly get immunized as we create a shell of protection in our communities. So let’s do our part, for ourselves and for those we care about. It’s time to get immunized.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Flickr