Flu Shots Are Now 
Available at Health Centers

Each year there are fears, rumors, and urban legends that keep more than half the population in the U.S. from protecting themselves from the flu. But the truth is this: There is no better way to avoid getting the flu than to get the annual vaccine, which is often referred to as a “flu shot.” We are happy to add that flu shots are available at the Health Centers without an appointment being necessary.

Unfortunately, too many people avoid flu shots because of various misconceptions and unnecessary fears. Simply put, many people have questions about the flu vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. We’ll try to answer them here.

One common misconception is that getting a flu shot can give you the flu itself. The fact is that the flu vaccine contains dead flu viruses that cannot give you the flu. Instead of giving you the flu, a flu shot introduces your body to the killed virus so that it can develop a proper immune response in case you encounter the live virus later on during the flu season. In most cases that immune response will stop you from getting a full blown case of the flu and in the rest of the cases it will lessen the severity of the flu.

Another common misconception is that the flu shot and other vaccines cause autism. But health experts agree there is no connection between flu shots and autism, and there never has been a any such connection.

Also, many people believe incorrectly that the flu shot is very painful. While many of us fear needles and the pain they are thought to produce, the one or two seconds of discomfort — if any — that you will feel from a flu shot ranks pretty low on the list of painful things you’ll experience in life. We can also tell you that the one or two seconds of discomfort you feel when getting a flu shot is a lot better than the one or two weeks of absolute misery you will feel if you end up getting the flu.

Many also mistakenly believe that the flu shot is not effective. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the shots are up to 90 percent effective at preventing the flu. And for those who do get sick, the vaccine provides at least partial protection, lessening the severity of the illness and thus reducing the rates of hospitalization for flu complications, for example. Not only that, but when you get the flu shot you are helping to protect people you come in contact with — such as small children or the elderly — who have weaker immune systems.

As we have reported before in Hotel Voice, however, there are also some people who should not get a flu shot. These people include:

● Children younger than six months of age.

● People who have reacted badly to the flu vaccine in the past.

● People with severe allergies to chicken eggs.

● People who have come down with Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of getting the flu shot in the past

● People with a fever, virus or cold should wait until their symptoms have subsided for two weeks before getting a flu shot.

Everyone should also remember that even if you received flu shots last year you may not be immune to the flu this year. That’s because strains of the illness change from year to year and flu shots have been known to lose their power over a period of time. It is also important to remember that flu shots usually take about two weeks to take effect. For this reason it is strongly advised that members be immunized now, instead of waiting until a time when the flu season is in full force.

And here’s one final thing everyone should know: If you haven’t received your flu shot this year, they are available now, without an appointment, at any of the Union’s four Health Centers.

Members who live out-of-area can also get free flu shots at any of the four Health Centers. Again, no appointments are necessary.