FAQs
There are lots of myths around flu vaccination.
Here are some simple facts about flu.
1. You cannot get flu from the vaccine. There is no live virus in the vaccine.
2. Preservative-free vaccines are commonly available. Preservative-free vaccines are commonly used in Australia. If you are worried about preservatives, mention your concern to your doctor. (In the past some vaccines have contained preservatives, such as thiomersal, but these days, thiomersal-free vaccines are readily available).
3. Good food and excercise are unlikely to stop you getting the flu. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself. The truth is that anyone exposed to the virus can get the flu. It doesn’t matter how fit or healthy you are. There is little conclusive evidence that vitamin C or echinacea will reduce your risk of getting flu. Antibiotics do not work against influenza, as it is a virus. Once you have the flu, you can pass it on to anyone, regardless of how young, fit or healthy they are.
4. Flu can make you ill for a week or more.
Flu is more serious than a common cold. Many people with flu are forced to rest in bed for a week or more, which means they can’t go to work or take care of their family. For others who are considered ‘at risk’ of complications from the flu, the illness can be much more serious and can lead to hospitalisation and possibly even death. ‘At risk’ conditions include severe asthma, emphysema (COPD), diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Also, if you work with or are in regular contact with any of the above ‘at risk’ people, it is important that you are vaccinated to help prevent spreading the flu to them.
5. Vaccines enhance your own natural immune system. Vaccines work by stimulating cells in your body to make antibodies against the killed virus contained in the vaccine (eg. the flu virus). These antibodies have a ‘memory’, therefore if you are exposed to the flu, the antibodies in your body will recognise the virus and fight it off which prevents you from being infected. The vaccine gives your immune system practice fighting flu!
6. Flu vaccination is safe and effective. Millions of doses of the flu vaccine have been given to people over the years. Generally, most side effects are mild and disappear within a few days. The most common things reported are redness at the site of injection, some muscle pains and sometimes tiredness for a day or two.
VACCINATION IS YOUR BEST DEFENCE SEE YOUR GP