“Do you want to get your flu shot today?”
I was at my doctor’s office for a regularly scheduled
appointment this afternoon when the physicians’ assistant posed this question.
It wasn't an easy question for me to answer. I haven’t gotten a flu shot in
years and I can’t recall the last time I had the flu. I’m not afraid of getting
a shot. I’m afraid of getting the flu.
My reluctance in getting the shot is linked to my belief
that some people actually get sick after having a flu shot. Why would I want to
do that when I rarely get sick under normal consequences? Then again, just
because I hadn't gotten the flu in years doesn't necessarily mean I’d dodge the
bullet again this year.
“Do you want to wait and discuss this with Dr. Fish?”
For a brief moment I considered that and then thought “why
bother.” I knew my doc would recommend it. I told her to go ahead and give me
the shot.
When my doc came into the exam room I asked him whether he
knew of anyone getting the flu as a result of the flu shot. “Never,” he
replied. He went to say that it was medically impossible.
When I got back to my office I checked the website of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just to get a little reassurance.
“The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so
you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The risk of a flu shot causing serious
harm or death is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may
rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all
people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.”
Still, getting a flu shot is no guarantee that you won’t get
the flu either.
“The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on
the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity
or “match” between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation.”
All I know is that if I get the flu this year I’m going to
be pretty pissed.
