There is a lot of news out there about the flu vaccine and why or why you shouldn't give it to your kids. Most of the information warning against the harmful chemicals inside the vaccine. Also people tell stories about how they still got the flu even after they recieved the vaccine. Here are some facts about the flu vaccine that you may not know.
Myth: There are harmful chemicals in flu vaccines.
Fact: Yes, there is. It is call Thimerosal, which is mercery based preservative that is used is all vaccines since 1930. In fact, thimerosal is in many products that you use around your house and in contact solution as well. According to the CDC, all vaccines, as of recently, are made thimerosal free and the nasal vaccine has always been thimerosal free. The flu vaccine is the only one still made with thimerosal today. You can however get a thimerosal free vaccine or a preservative free vaccine. A preservative free vaccine will still have trace amounts of thimerosal, at less than 1 microgram, as stated by Passport Health Company.
Myth: You can still get the flu even after a flu shot.
Fact: No you can't get the flu from the flu shot. You may experance flu like symptoms from the flu because it is a live vaccine and your body will fight it as soon as you get the shot. If you get the flu vaccine while sick, such as a cold for example, you will feel worse and have a better chance of feeling those side affects after getting the vaccine.The CDC estimates which flu strain will be going around each year and some times their predictions wrong and that is when you can still get the flu even after getting the vaccine. Some people are at risk for experancing complicatoins form the flu vaccine. People with the following conditoins should maybe obstaine from the flu vaccine (accoding to the CDC):
- Heart disease
- Neurological disorders
- Over 65
- Pregnant
- Blood pressure issues
- AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Diabetes
- Obese
- People on asprin therapy
- People with Native American or Alaskan indian heritage
- Egg allergy
Myth: Pregnant women shouldn't get the flu vaccine:
Fact: Many pregnant women get the thimerosal free or preservative free vaccines and most of the time the doctor gives them to pregnant women without telling them that they did get the safe form of the vaccine. I know that stated above pregnant women are listed as most likely to have issues after getting the vaccine and that is true, but this is with the normal vaccine with thimerosal. Most babies and toddlers are also given the thimerosal free vaccine or the preservative one. Pregnant women should ask their doctor to give them a preservative free vaccine just to be safe. Pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy and the second trimester don't need the vaccine; however, those in the last stages of pregnancy should consider getting the flu vaccine. The reason being is that if your baby is to be born during flu season the vaccine that the mother gets will also protect the new born baby. A new born who contracts the flu can die or develop health problems, and since everyone loves to hold that new bundle of joy, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Myth: Thimerosal causes autism.
Fact: There has been no evidance to support that vaccines such as the flu vaccine or the MMR vaccine cause autism as stated by Austism Speaks. There is a chance that the number of vaccines given to a child may be more of the cause than the vaccines themselves. Also there is a chance that some children are more sensitive to vaccines due to genetics. As the parent you have the right to vaccinate or not vaccinate your child. You have the right to say which vaccines your child will and will not get.
On infomation about the flu and where to get a flu shot in Colorado Springs read Flu shots: What you need to know.
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