People who hate getting shots, myself included, will do anything to avoid a shot. But what if that shot could help you avoid the flu and that annoying runny nose and lingering cough that doesn’t seem to go away until the sun comes back? Something has been created to do this and goes by the name of the “Flu Shot.” But is this shot even worth the trouble to receive?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, between 5% and 20% of Americans get the flu each year. There is a staggering difference between 5% of the population and 20% of the population, which to me raises the question of; How many people are truly getting sick a year? Nonetheless, below are the percentages in numbers.
The U.S. and World Population Clock has the United States’ population at 318,896,570 (at least when I wrote this post). Therefore 5% of the population infected with the flu is 15,944,828 or about 16 million people. Compare this with 20% which is 63,779,314 or about 64 million people. However, Health Day wrote an article where the CDC’s researchers discovered that in the year of 2011 and 2012, 45% of the population ages 6 months and above, got flu shot. This equates to about 143,503,456 or about 143.5 million people.
The CDC itself has reported that effectiveness of flu vaccinations can vary. According to this page, it varies on the age and health of a person, as well as if the shot is well matched to the flu. They also say even when the shot matches the flu type, its effectiveness still varies.
Healthline lists the side effects of getting a flu shot which includes, pain at the injection sight, aches and pains, headaches, mild and high fevers, severe allergic reactions and Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or GBS, which causes paralysis and weakness throughout the body.
Getting a shot for something that doesn’t 100% reduce the risk of getting the flu doesn’t seem logical to me, especially when considering these side effects.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm
http://www.census.gov/popclock/
http://consumer.healthday.com/infectious-disease-information-21/flu-news-314/cdc-says-more-americans-are-getting-their-flu-shots-680560.html
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
http://www.healthline.com/health/flu-shot-side-effects#RunnyNose6
I also have never gotten a flu shot on the basis that my parents have told me it really isn’t worth it and this article backed up their views. Same as you Chris I also only get sick about once an entire year and usually get over it quickly and naturally.
This is interesting – especially with flu season coming! This definitely changes my perspective on getting a shot. It does however, raise the concern, that are all vaccines prescribed by doctors beneficial? Or are there too many risks associated with receiving the shot?
I myself have never actually gotten a flu shot and seem to only get a cold once a year as fall hits. My parents never wanted to risk me getting sick from the shot over getting it naturally. I now firmly believe the shot is not worth it. I’ve never had the flu and my brother has never had the flu. There are some doctors they don’t even recommend the flu shots anymore. Here is a good article by one doctor. http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2013/11/27/a-shot-never-worth-taking-the-flu-vaccine-by-kelly-brogan-md/