Every year heath care professionals will urge their patients to do one of the most beneficial things a person can do for their health. They will urge their patients to get an influenza vaccine also known as a flu shot. Less than half of these patients will actually be vaccinated. According to the Center for Disease Control it is estimated that between 5% and 20% of U.S. residents get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized yearly because of flu related complications. (CDC) In spite of the risks only 46% of Americans got vaccinated against the flu (cite cdc) With all these people contracting the flu, one would think that everyone would be lining up to get a shot! Yet so many will refuse to be vaccinated. There are many misconceptions and arguments made by the public why they believe flu vaccination is not necessary.
One of the argument is that the public thinks that flu shot causes the flu. This argument is completely invalid. The best way to understand why this is untrue is to understand how a vaccine works. It works by putting a small amount of an antigen, a foreign substance such as the flu virus, into body to teach the body how to fight off the sickness. The immune system will make antibodies from the leukocytes, white blood cells, from scratch to fight the vaccine. This …show more content…
Flu shots are safe, effective and covered by most major insurance companies with little to no copay. There are several different types of vaccines available. The most common one is a quadrivalent that covers four different strains of the flu virus. It is most common and suggested form of the vaccine is given intramuscularly via pre-filled hypodermic syringe. For people over the age of 65 the high dose Fluzone is recommended. This version is similar to the quadrivalent but has more antigen in it to cause a higher immune
One of the argument is that the public thinks that flu shot causes the flu. This argument is completely invalid. The best way to understand why this is untrue is to understand how a vaccine works. It works by putting a small amount of an antigen, a foreign substance such as the flu virus, into body to teach the body how to fight off the sickness. The immune system will make antibodies from the leukocytes, white blood cells, from scratch to fight the vaccine. This …show more content…
Flu shots are safe, effective and covered by most major insurance companies with little to no copay. There are several different types of vaccines available. The most common one is a quadrivalent that covers four different strains of the flu virus. It is most common and suggested form of the vaccine is given intramuscularly via pre-filled hypodermic syringe. For people over the age of 65 the high dose Fluzone is recommended. This version is similar to the quadrivalent but has more antigen in it to cause a higher immune