As the fall season concludes and the winter chills approach, the flu season comes around. Your neighbours have it, your best friend, teacher, family, and who knows, maybe even your dog. You are trying to find ways not to get sick. So what can we do to prevent ourselves from getting it?
This is where the flu shot comes in, an immunization to protect you from flu-like symptoms and hopefully the flu itself. A flu vaccine can contain a weakened or inactive version of the flu virus, or antigens from the virus, which is not enough to give you the flu, but is strong enough to trigger your immune system to create antibodies.
These antibodies then give you immunity from the real flu virus, protecting you from getting sick. “I get my flu shot every year to help me build up antibodies to prevent myself from getting the flu”, said English teacher Pasquale DiBenedetto.
“I believe the flu shot actually prevents me from getting the flu. Every year, I have gotten the flu shot and have never gotten the flu,” said History teacher Courtney Braz.
Multiple clinics advertise the flu shot, and certain events also allow you to get it. These events are typically covered by your insurance or grants. “We do not turn anyone away who comes into the clinic for their flu shot,” said medical assistant Valerie Paulino.
Doctors highly recommend this shot. Nurses, Sujata Sharma and Lynn Cunningham found that it was extremely helpful in terms of preventing symptoms from worsening, so even “if they get the flu, it shouldn’t be as severe,” said Cunningham.
The flu affects many people starting from the day they are born. “The flu can make people very sick, especially if they have other illnesses, or if they are very young or old,” said Cunningham. This illness can be very harsh and has been proven to affect individuals who suffer from a weaker immune system.
While this vaccine has many benefits, some do not get it. Reginald Tarver shared how “I do not get the flu shot because I feel like it does not benefit me.” The flu shot also has side effects, such as soreness, redness, and swelling, which may prevent some from getting it.
Danajia Williams, a student studying to become a nurse, stated, “While it is required for nurses, I have felt like I often get sick after the Flu shot and would prefer not to get it.”
Doctors and nurses strongly encourage vaccination during the colder months, but at the end of the day, it is no one’s decision but your own. “It’s their choice if they want to get it or not,” expressed DiBenedetto.
To learn more, you can visit https://www.cdc.gov/Flu/, call your health care provider, or call 1-800-232-4636 (CDC Info)
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