Flu Shots: Fact and Fiction
Autumn in western North Carolina is a special time of year for all of us: peak leaf season, cooler weather, and lots of festivals. Fall is also the peak time to get a Flu shot. Almost every year there is some buzz about influenza or the annual flu shot; sometimes this is fact and sometimes it isfiction.
Influenza vaccine is available in two administration types: injectionand nasal. The injectable “shot” comes in a fewversions. A “High dose” flu shot is indicated for people over 65 years of age; however, ittends to be more expensive and difficult to find a provider who delivers it.The other injectables are trivalent and quadravalent; which means they carryeither three or four strains of flu virus. The Haywood County Public Health Agency and most doctors’ offices and pharmacies provide quadravalent, but be sure to ask. All of these flu shots are inactivated, meaning they use a killed version of the virus, so they cannot give anyone the flu.
The nasal spray called “Flu Mist” goes directly to the respiratory system and is a very effective vaccine. The nasal spray does contain live virus, so there is a small chance it could cause flu infection in someone with a compromised immune system. That’s why the spray form is not recommended for anyone with a weakened immune system. It is available to anyone age 2-49. People with asthma or respiratory conditions shouldconsult their physician before deciding to get Flu Mist.
Contrary to popular myths, side effects from flu shots are infrequent. A rare nerve disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome has occurred in a very small number of people but the most common complaints from flu shots are asore arm or a low-grade fever for a few days.
The risks of influenza, which causes thousands of deaths every year(and has already taken a life in western NC) are much higher than the minimalrisks from the flu vaccine.Everybody 6 months of age or older (with no allergy to eggs since that’s the medium in which the vaccines are grown) should get flu shot. That means just about everyone.
Immunization is the best way to protect yourself from influenza. If you don’t want a flu shot for yourself consider getting the shot for our community. The more people who are immune from flu the less likely the strain will circulate in Haywood County. Babies under 6 months of age and folks with a weakened immune system can’t get the shot so in a sense weare their only protection.
Flu shots are available at Haywood County Health and Human Services, local doctors’ offices and numerous pharmacies in our county. You cancall the Public Health flu line at 828-356-4111and press 0 to make an appointment at Health and Human Services for a vaccine.
Patrick Johnson, RN-C, MPA
Interim Public Health Services Director
Haywood County Health & Human Services Agency
Public Health Division
157 Paragon Parkway Suite 800, Clyde, NC. 28721. E-mail: