Did you know that there up to 49,000 flu-related deaths in the US between 1976 and 20061?
This was only in the US. To better understand the impact, take a minute and think of yourself or of a person you know who have had the flu. What a burden?
Now what if you know that there is a way to prevent the flu. What would your reaction be?
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes on the importance of vaccination as "the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing its impact2".
For whom is the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is recommended on a YEARLY basis for all people aged 6 months and above.
It is especially recommended for people at high risk of the disease complications:
- children below the age of 5 years and in particular those below the age of 2 years
- pregnant women
- elderly aged 65 years and above
- people with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, and people living in nursing homes3
The 6 reasons why you should get the flu shot NOW.
1. Flu can be very severe; even deadly!
Fortunately, most people who get the flu recover within 1-2 weeks. However, for the unfortunate the flu can lead to severe symptoms, including infections and acute asthma attacks, among others. These symptoms may require hospitalization and, in some cases, cause death1.
2. Flu can cost you a fortune!
If you think that treating the flu is cheap, here's a list of what you have overlooked:
- cost of the medicines to treat the flu - which are numerous
- cost of decreased productivity at work
- cost of the days spent on sick leave and probably a reduced paycheck
- cost of hospitalization
- cost brought upon those to whom you have transmitted the flu
3. Flu shot can prevent you from getting sick
The flu shot is designed to protect you from catching the flu, and its effectiveness is determined by many factors, mainly:
- characteristics of the person being vaccinated
- similarity between the flu viruses that the flu shot protects against and the circulating flu viruses. Even if the flu shot does not fully protect you for one of the reasons above, it will definitely make the illness less severe4.
4. Flu shot costs less than a drink at the bar
You only need 1 flu shot per year. In case you have not asked your pharmacist about the cost of the flu shot, HINT has done it on your behalf. In Lebanon, the flu shot only costs 7-8 USD5. Compare it to the cost of treating the flu and do the math!
5. Flu shot protects you and protects the ones you love
Once we get the flu, we can spread it to others through droplets released when we cough, sneeze, or talk6. Children, elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic disease are the most vulnerable to the getting the disease and to its complications, and they are part of our families. By getting the flu shot, we are not only protecting ourselves, but we are also protecting the people we love.
6. Best time to take the flu shot is early fall
In countries of the Northern hemisphere, including our country, the flu season extends between October and May. After we get the flu shot, our bodies need about 2 weeks to form antibodies (the body's defense mechanism) against the flu viruses7. This is why it is important to get the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available and before the flu season starts. In Lebanon, the flu vaccine is now available in the pharmacies.
For these reasons, HINT highly urges you to consult your physician and take the flu vaccine.
References:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
2. http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/en/
3. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm
4. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
5. www.moph.gov.lb
6. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
7. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
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