Flu Shots Stop More Than the Flu!

Did You Get Your Flu Shot Yet?

It Could Save Your Life in More Ways than You Know

         New studies have shown that seniors who received flu shots during the last two flu seasons had a significant reduction in hospitalization for flu and pneumonia, but the shocking revelation is that they also had reduced occurrences of strokes and heart attacks.

         Thirty-eight percent of upper respiratory infections (URIs) in seniors were caused by influenza virus, and URIs often precede heart attacks or strokes. URIs can cause biochemical changes in the body that may cause plaques in the arteries to detach which can lead to stroke or heart attack.

         The data combined from four studies showed a fifty percent reduction in the risk of acute heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and ischemic type stroke in seniors who received the flu shot (JAMA, 2003).

When To Get Your Flu Shot

         If you are age 50 - 64 and in good health, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you get a flu shot each November. This doesn't mean that it is ever too late to get one. A flu shot in December or even later will still be effective (CDC, 2003).

         If you are a senior over age 65 or an adult with health problems it is recommended that you get your flu shot each October.

Flu Shots are NOT RECOMMENDED For:

*People with severe allergy to hen's eggs
*People who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past
*People who have previously developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome within six weeks of receiving a flu shot.

Flu Shot Myths

Myth: You can get the flu from a flu shot.
Wrong! Flu vaccine contains dead flu virus and cannot give anyone the flu.

Myth: The flu is only a really bad cold.
Wrong! Influenza virus is much more dangerous than the typical bad cold and can often lead to pneumonia. The flu kills about 20,000 people each year - mostly seniors.

Myth: The side effects are worse than the actual flu.
Wrong! Though some people may experience muscle soreness, the actual risk of an allergic reaction is far less than the risk of having complications from the flu.

Myth: After November it is too late to get a flu shot.
Wrong! Whether you get your shot before or during the flu season it will still provide protection against influenza.

So, Have you Gotten Your Flu Shot Yet???