Did You Skip Out On Your Flu Shot?
Weíve got three reasons you may want to rethink that decision and why experts say not all of them have to do with you.Playlist
Whatís your reason for skipping the flu shot? Maybe you donít like needles, or you never get sick. Or you read something on the Internet that claims the vaccineís not safe, or itís ineffective. Whatever your reason, letís see how it stacks up against bioethicist Dr. Arthur Caplanís reasons why getting vaccinated is the right thing to do:
- The fact is: The flu shotís not about you. Itís about what epidemiologists call herd immunity. Simply put, the more people who get vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread. And the fewer people get sick from the flu every year.
- Which means: Your flu shot is especially crucial for the high-risk people in your community. This goes for newborns, cancer patients, transplant recipients, and other people who canít get the shot, but are at high risk of dying from the flu.
- And your flu shot also helps protect senior citizens. Because even when older people are vaccinated, they donít develop as much immunity to the flu as younger people do. And if you get sick, the effect on your grandparents could be deadly.
If that sounds overly dramatic, then remember that this winterís flu epidemic has already closed schools in several states. Cities are declaring public health emergencies. And at least 20 kids and 35 adults have died from the virus and thereís still plenty of flu season ahead of us.
Itís not too late to get a flu shot! Experts anticipate that the flu season will run through the end of April. And within two weeks of getting a shot, your bloodstream will be teaming with flu-fighting antibodies thatíll protect you and everyone around you.