by Annette Pinder
The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get a flu vaccine. A survey conducted by National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) found that 69% of U.S. adults agree, yet only 49% say they will get a flu vaccine during the 2022-23 flu season. The primary reason for their reluctance is distrust for the new flu vaccines, and concern about potential side effects.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says that even though the influenza virus may cause mild illness in some people, there is also a risk of severe illness that can even result in death. Walensky says individuals at greatest risk for severe illness from contracting the flu virus include individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, children younger than 5 years old, and people with underlying conditions.
William Schaffner, NFID medical director, thinks many people may be disregarding the need to get flu shots due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Schaffner says that many people have forgotten about influenza due to COVID, not realizing that influenza can also be very damaging.
About 58% of Americans say they plan to wear masks to prevent getting the flu virus, rather than getting vaccinated. The CDC says the most common symptoms of flu include fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue. In addition to these symptoms, children may experience vomiting and diarrhea. The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are soreness, redness, and/or swelling at the injection site, as well as headache, fever, nausea, and muscle aches. Find flu shot vaccine locations at www.vaccines.gov.
