Flu Shots: Fact or Fiction?

Each year, around 30% of school-age kids miss school because of the flu, while up to 39% of adults take time off work due to flu-like symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) all recommend annual vaccination for all against the flu, yet there are still prevalent misconceptions surrounding the injection. In this article, we sort the flu shot facts from fiction for you.

"The flu is just a bad cold." - FICTION

The flu is far more dangerous than a bad cold. It affects the lungs and can cause a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, with additional complications including sinusitis, otitis media (middle ear infection), laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Each year, many people around the world die from catching the flu.

"Only the very old and sick need a flu shot." - FICTION

The flu vaccine can help both adults and children who are in good health to stay healthy. Even if you aren't at high risk of developing flu complications, you should still get a flu shot to protect yourself, as well as everyone you come in contact with (especially if you are in regular contact with young children, older adults, or sick family members).

Influenza vaccination guidelines (2019-2020 version) recommend priority vaccination for seven groups of people：

• Infants and younger children aged 6-23 months  

• Children aged 2-5 years  

• Older adults aged 60 or above  

• Patients with specific chronic disease(s)

• Medical staff

• Family members and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age

• Pregnant women or women preparing to become pregnant during the flu season

"Flu shots and vaccines can give you the flu." - FICTION

Flu vaccines are made from inactivated influenza viruses. These can't give you the flu.

"Even if I get a flu shot, I can still get the flu." - FACT

Though the flu shot protects most people from the flu, you can still catch the flu after you've been immunized if your immune system doesn't mount an appropriate defense against the vaccine. Also, the flu shot will not protect you from other viruses that can cause illnesses, such as the virus that causes the common cold.

"The vaccine is not 100% effective, so I'm better off getting the flu." - FICTION

No vaccine is 100% effective. However, even if you still get the flu after being immunized, you are likely to be far less sick than you would have been without immunization.

"The side effects of the flu vaccine are worse than the flu." - FICTION

For most people, the worst side effect is some soreness where the injection was administered. Like any medication, vaccines may also cause adverse reactions, but the risk of developing a rare allergic reaction is much smaller than the risk of developing severe complications from the flu. Minor side effects include soreness or redness at the site of the injection, fever, and pain, all lasting no more than one or two days.

"Not everyone can get a flu shot." - FACT

Egg-allergy is not a contraindication as marked in China Pharmacopeia, but if you have had severe allergic reactions to eggs (which are also used in making the vaccine) or to previous flu vaccines, you'd better tell your doctor before you get the flu vaccine. Additionally, if you are very ill with a high fever, you will need to postpone the injection.

"I don't need this year's vaccine because I already got the flu shot last year." - FICTION

Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for two reasons:

1. Usually, antibodies with protective levels can be produced 2-4 weeks after you get the flu vaccine. After 6-8 months, the antibody titer begins to decay. 

2. Influenza viruses are always changing. Therefore, components of flu vaccines are updated every year.

"I can't get a flu shot because I'm pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or I'm breastfeeding." - FICTION

Flu vaccines are safe for moms and their babies in utero. The vaccine will help prevent mom from developing complications from severe influenza and is recommended by both the U.S. and Chinese CDCs. If you are pregnant, please tell the doctor before you get the flu vaccine.

What else do I need to know to make an appointment for a flu shot?

1. Schedule:

1) Children from 6 months to 35 months of age - 1 or 2 doses (please consult a doctor for a specific plan)

2) For children over 36 months and adults - 1 dose

2. The flu vaccine is available at BJU and most BJU clinics. It is recommended that immunization should be completed as soon as possible after the vaccine arrives to ensure that you and your family are protected from vaccination before the high season of influenza. It can be vaccinated throughout the flu season and will still be protective, and usually, there is no need to make an appointment with a doctor (except for children under 2 and pregnant women). 

For more information and reservations about the flu vaccine program, please call the 24hr Service Center at 4008-919191. 

References:

[1]. China Influenza Vaccination  Technical Guidelines (2019-20), China Center for Disease Control and Prevention

[2]. National Health and Family Planning Commission, Chinese Journal of Infection Control, 2018(1): 181-184

[3]. World Health Organization. Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2019-2020 northern hemisphere influenza season.February 2019

[4]. Versailin influenza virus lysing vaccine package insert (2019-2020 strain)

[5]. Cdc.gov.(2018).About Flu|Seasonal Influenza (Flu)|CDC

The Pharmacy team at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) comprises outstanding pharmacists who have either studied or worked overseas, or have experience in local grade-A tertiary hospitals. They regularly attend training programs both in China and abroad to keep up with the latest developments in the field of pharmacy and to provide patients with refined services to ensure patient safety.