A flu shot is a type of vaccine which is used to prevent influenza. Flu or influenza is a seasonal virus affecting breathing systems. It is accompanied by mild effects including bruise and pain in the injection area. A vaccine is essential for patients who are at risk of the flue. Nonetheless, the vaccine should be administered every year to stop influenza from spreading or causing severe side effects. Here are the pros and cons of the flu shot.
Pros
1. Safe: In the past 50 years, millions of patients have received flu shots safely. There are few severe reactions of a flu shot. For example, each million shot can have 0.2 cases. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration approves flu shots before public use. This ensures the vaccine is safe and effective to use. Also, it makes sure the vaccine follows regulations on Good Manufacturing Practice.
2. Prevent spreading: Flu vaccinations are important because they lower the risk of spreading. Patients who are not vaccinated can pass influenza to vulnerable individuals such as older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people living with health conditions like diabetes, asthma, and HIV.
3. Lowers death: People with hypertension are among the vulnerable individuals in society today. The flu is linked with hypertension seeing that having a respiratory problem can trigger high blood pressure. Fortunately, getting flu shots helps to reduce the risk of death. In addition to that, children over 6 months who get a flu shot are not likely to die from influenza.
4. Prevent the doctor’s trip: It is tiresome to visit the medical center frequently when you have flu. However, getting a flu shot every year is more effective hence will prevent trips to doctor per year.
5. Develop community immunity: Flu shots allow the development of immunity in the community. Influenza cannot spread if most people in society have got a flu shot. For this reason, people in risk groups are unable to contract the flu. Therefore, the vaccine is significant for protecting others.
Cons
1. Discomfort: Young children are among those who are at high risk of contracting the severe illness. According to research, the vaccine prevents death. However, the shot can result in discomfort for young children. It comes with swelling and pain in the injection area.
2. Side effects: Flu shot causes nausea especially on pregnant women. This is because the vaccine is recommended during pregnancy. Moreover, it causes other mild effects such as redness, pain, and swelling. Other people experience headaches, fever, and muscle aches which last for 1 and 2 days. Furthermore, in rare cases, flu shot results in the development of Guillain- Barre syndrome.
3. Reduce hospitalization: Flu shot lowers the risk of patients getting hospitalized due to flu. Healthy people in a nation lead to the growth of the economy since they will be living a healthy life.
4. Protect the unborn: Pregnant women are at risk of getting an illness from influenza. CDC’s advisory committee recommends that pregnant women should be given flu shots during pregnancy. This protects the unborn from flu for some months after birth. Also, it lowers the risk of getting acute respiratory infections.
5. Prolong working: The shot does not start working immediately. It takes about 2 weeks to start functioning. Therefore, in the first 2 weeks, you can be at risk until it starts working.
