Should I Get A Flu Shot?

We're taking a brief timeout from my health care reform series to continue harping upon a subject that I may have beaten to death... but people keep asking me the question, so once again, here is my answer to, 'should I get a flu shot?'

The short answer: YES

The long answer: If possible, you should get both the seasonal influenza vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The seasonal, trivalent (3 strains) vaccination which protects against seasonal variants of H3N2, H1N1, and Influenza B, does not protect against the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu). A separate monovalent (1 strain) vaccine has been developed for this virus and is currently being distributed nationwide as quickly as production allows. Both vaccines come in an injectable, inactivated form or in an intranasal, attenuated (weakened) form. The nasal spray form is recommended for all healthy people aged 2-50 years old. If you fall outside those age ranges, are pregnant, or have certain chronic or immunosupressive conditions (lung disease, heart disease, asthma, etc) you should get a shot of the killed vaccine instead.

While older populations and the very young are the most susceptible for seasonal influenza, those individuals from 6 months to 24 years of age, as well as those 24 to 64 years old who have medical conditions that put them at greater risk for infection are the most at risk for 2009 H1N1. There is some evidence that people over the age of 55 may have some protective antibodies due to previous exposure to a similar H1N1 strain that circulated in the early 1950's, but this has yet to be backed by significant evidence.

Finally, many people should also consider getting a pneumoccoal vaccine to protect against secondary bacterial pneumonia infections that take advantage of the body's weakened immune defenses while infected with the flu. Secondary bacterial pneumonia can be a deadly complication of the flu virus. It is recommended that all adults over age 65 receive the pneumococcal vaccine, as well as those 2 to 64 years of age who fall into the following categories: chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, or liver disease, alcoholics, residents of nursing home or long-term care facilities, anyone with immunocompromised or immunosupressive conditions, as well as any adults who smoke cigarettes or have asthma.

Contrary to paranoid conservatives, new-agey liberals, and a sensationalist media, flu vaccine (both kinds) is perfectly safe. I've addressed the safety of vaccines in general in previous posts. Read up if you like, or leave comments with questions and I'll gladly answer them. And before you ask, yes, flu vaccine does have the potential side effects of dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime.

Check the CDC's website for full flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine facts as well as the latest press update regarding the status of H1N1 influenza in the United States.