Viva Vitality: It’s that time of year again, save lives and immunize

By Christy Martens on December 6, 2019.

It is that time of year again when flu shot signs are a common sight, reminding us to get immunized for the season. Many of us are repeat customers and have many flu shots under our belts. But every year I hear some common reasons why people don’t want to get their influenza vaccine.

1. I’m healthy and I don’t see any reason to get it.

It is always great to hear that people feel well and have a good strong immune system. However, certain influenza strains target healthy adults and kids. In addition, you might be strong and healthy, but there are many people around you who aren’t. Babies and children under age two, adults over age 65, and anyone with chronic health problems have a much greater risk of illness and death from influenza. Why not help stop the spread of germs to these vulnerable people? When you don’t get your vaccine, you can spread influenza germs to others, even if you don’t get sick.

Have a chat with someone who has had influenza – they will tell you that the disease is horrible! High fever, aches, muscle pains, chills, dizziness, nausea are all among the very unpleasant symptoms of influenza. More serious cases can experience complications like pneumonia, or end up in the hospitalized, or in ICU on life support. Why risk it? One vaccine now, or many many needles if you end up in hospitalâ€¦

2. Flu shots aren’t safe.

Vaccines are actually the safest category of medications, as they have a mandatory legal requirement for reporting any adverse side effects. Vaccine providers have many decades of data that have been used to improve vaccine safety while reducing the risk of side effects. Public health is diligent to monitor, report, and make changes if there are any concerns about reactions or adverse events following immunization. Influenza vaccines are made in the same way as other vaccines like tetanus, diphtheria or polio, and are much safer than getting the disease!

3. I got a flu shot last year and it made me sick.

In Canada, influenza vaccines are made from killed virus, so there is no living material that can make a person sick. Some people do experience mild influenza-like symptoms, almost like their body is doing a “practice run” of what it would be like if they had the real disease. These symptoms usually last 24 to 48 hours, and then go away.

In rare cases, someone does have a stronger reaction, and if that happens, we want to know! Please call your local public health office, or HealthLink at 811 if you have concerns after your immunizations. When a vaccine reaction occurs, a nurse reviews the file and gets recommendations from the Medical Officer of Health on how to proceed with future immunizations. The goal is always to provide safe and excellent protection against disease.

So the bottom line is, save lives and immunize! A community is best protected when everyone works together to stop the spread of harmful germs, and immunization is the most effective way to keep ourselves and those around us safe from influenza. Now go get your flu shot!

Christy Martens is a Public Health Nurse with Alberta Health Services, and can be reached by e-mail: Christy.martens@ahs.ca