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Influenza, or the Flu: Is the Flu Shot Necessary? - Page 2

© Mark Abell

Is the flu vaccine important? Well, that really depends on a number of factors. For example, the very old and the very young are more susceptible to problems associated with the viral infection than those who are healthy. Generally speaking, then, the following people should first ask their own clinician about getting the flu shot this year: 1. People with chronic ling problems, such as COPD, or Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease. 2. Residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities. 3. People who are 65 years of age or older. 4. People with other forms of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney problems, anemia, or those who are receiving chemotherapy. 5. Children who are on long-term aspirin therapy for any reason (children, who are healthy, are otherwise not candidates for the flu shot).

With the current situation concerning the availability of the flu shot, it is important to consider that people who are generally healthy with no problems as those mentioned above should not get the flu shot; instead, these people should wait to ensure that those who really need the shot get them. As previously mentioned, there are newer medications available that help the body recover from the effects of the flu and these people should seek the attention of their own clinician for assistance. Once the wave of disparity is over, all people will, then, be able to receive the shot; however, the fear is that there will either not be enough to go around or it will be too late to have any potential effect. For example, the best time to get the shot is during the months of October, November and December. After that period, the threat is already realized and obtaining the flu shot will have little or no value as the body will not have enough time to manufacture antibodies to the injection.

Who should not get the flu shot? This is a very good question. Generally speaking, the only people who should not get the flu shot are those who are allergic to eggs and egg products. The reason is quite simple: the flu vaccine is manufactured using the egg protein, which, by the way, is the exact reason there is a shortage this year (2000). The manufacturers did not obtain enough egg protein to meet the rising demand for the flu shot; hence, there are not enough vaccine to go around.

How does the flu shot work? This is another interesting question. The injection, which is made of dead viral particles, actually fools the body, making it "think" that there is a flu present. Hence, the body gets busy making antibodies to that virus. The vaccine is a dead virus, composed of only the viral shell, or the envelope. There is no way one can get the flu from the flu shot; it is impossible. However, the symptoms of the flu, such as the aching body, headache, etc., may prevail as these are a by product of the body's work to fight off the viral infection. This is not, however, to say that one cannot get the flu after the flu shot. The reason for this is also quite simple. The Centers for Disease Control does not always "hit the mark," so to speak in developing the vaccine and therefore, while most, if not all strains of the flu might be covered in the vaccine, there is a slight chance that one strain is missed. If that particular flu strain is not covered in the vaccine, then, one may theoretically, come down with the flu after receiving what he or she thought was the "sure thing" against the flu. Not always true.

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