Roberta Heale, Associate Editor EBN @robertaheale @EBNursingBMJ<\/p>\n
Here we go again. Influenza vaccines are now available at my clinic. The queues to receive it start on one side.\u00a0\u00a0 On the other side, the rest of the patients either avoid the discussion completely or vehemently oppose getting it. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong. I welcome and encourage discussions with my patients about evidence in the decision to accept any treatment. My concern over the years is that many people who strongly oppose the influenza vaccine are not making their decision from evidence. Things I say over and over again during flu season:<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, the flu shot doesn\u2019t give you the flu. You might have a sore arm, mild achiness or mild fever afterward, which lasts a day or two and is very much less than the flu itself\u201d\u2026.\u201dThe flu makes you very, very sick. You may have to be hospitalized. Some people die from the flu. Having the flu shot can protect you and those you love from getting the flu\u201d\u2026\u201dNo, it doesn\u2019t protect 100%. It\u2019s made from the best estimate about what the flu strain will be this year. It might not give you 100% protection, but can help to lessen the flu if you do get it.\u201d\u2026. \u201cYes, it\u2019s safe for children, pregnant women, and a really good idea for both those groups of people along with high risk people like those with chronic conditions\u201d\u2026\u201dthere are some serious side effects, but they are very rare and we are equipped at the clinic to deal with them\u201d\u2026.\u201d https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/qa\/misconceptions.htm<\/a><\/p>\n Here are just a few of the commentaries included in EBN and BMJ over the years specific to influenza and the immunization.<\/p>\n Review: vaccines prevent influenza and influenza-like illness in healthy children <16 years of age\u00a0http:\/\/ebn.bmj.com\/content\/9\/4\/107<\/a><\/p>\n Increased city-level influenza mortality and state-level influenza severity is associated with greater functional decline among nursing home residents\u00a0http:\/\/ebn.bmj.com\/content\/16\/4\/122<\/a><\/p>\n Review: vaccination reduces the incidence of serologically confirmed influenza in healthy adults\u00a0http:\/\/ebn.bmj.com\/content\/8\/2\/47<\/a><\/p>\n Inactivated influenza vaccine in first trimester does not appear to increase risk of birth defects.http:\/\/ebn.bmj.com\/content\/20\/4\/107<\/a><\/p>\n Inactivated influenza vaccine is safe for children and adults with stable asthma\u00a0http:\/\/ebn.bmj.com\/content\/5\/3\/77<\/a><\/p>\n School closures and influenza: \u00a0systematic review of epidemiological studies.\u00a0http:\/\/bmjopen.bmj.com\/content\/3\/2\/e002149<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m always concerned for patients who don’t get the flu shot and this year is particularly concerning. Every year the flu virus mutates and the severity of the flu each year fluctuates. This year looks like it\u2019s going to be a bad one, based on the data arising from Australia and Southern Asia, where the virus activity begins. In fact, countries in the Northern hemisphere are bracing for what might be the worst flu season ever.<\/p>\n https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/3782452\/heres-why-canada-may-be-in-for-a-miserable-2017-18-flu-season\/<\/a><\/p>\n