Winter is on its way and with it, come the inevitable and dreaded bouts of flu. There are many misconceptions surrounding flu and the vaccine. Here are a few that have been discredited:
Myth: Flu is not that serious.
Fact: Flu is actually a severe and possibly life-threatening disease which kills more than 500 000 people worldwide every year.
Myth: It is natural and almost expected to get the flu every year as it does its rounds.
Fact: Incorrect – flu can be avoided by having the flu vaccine.
Myth: The flu shot causes flu.
Fact: Impossible. The viruses contained in flu shots have been killed, which means they really can’t cause infection. Getting a flu shot stimulates the immune system which may cause mild flu-like symptoms.
Myth: The flu vaccine is only for the elderly and high-risk patients.
Fact: Flu affects people of ALL ages and anyone who would rather not contract flu should be vaccinated.
Myth: I was vaccinated last year so I am good to go.
Fact: Every flu season there are different flu viruses circulating as viruses regularly change due to different factors including mutation. Therefore a new vaccine is manufactured each year in response to that year’s prevalent flu strains. To be up-to-date you need to be vaccinated every year.
When to get vaccinated The Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) recommends that you get vaccinated as soon as possible – the 2018 Influenza vaccine has been released and should be readily available at pharmacies. Most medical schemes now cover flu shots, so check with your pharmacy whether yours does.
For more information on the ICPA visit their website.