Many people wonder how safe is the influenza vaccine or flu shot. It is not unusual to hear this subject debated by various people. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released the following report. “According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of influenza vaccine protection, there was 59% effectiveness of the trivalent influenza vaccine in adults aged 18 to 65 years and a higher effectiveness (83%) of the live-attenuated vaccine (LAIV) in children.[1]Although not at levels of other vaccines, influenza vaccination provides some protection and may prevent complications due to influenza such as pneumonia, hospitalizations, and death. Recent studies in children have demonstrated that the inactivated influenza vaccine is 55% effective against any illness due to laboratory-confirmed influenza but 73% effective against any moderate or severe disease due to influenza.[2]Hence, vaccinated patients may still develop influenza infection but are likely to be at lower risk for its associated complications.”
There are many reasons why people don’t get flu shots. Here are some of the more common ones:
The vaccine does not work. The vaccine has been shown to be at least 60% effective. While this is not 100% it would be considered significant achievement against most significant risk. Clearly there needs to be a vaccine in the future that protects for more than just one year.
The vaccine causes the flu. This is wrong. The currently licensed influenza vaccines are LAIV and the inactivated vaccine. Neither vaccine can cause influenza infection. The LAIV is an attenuated live viral vaccine with a temperature-sensitive adaptation that precludes replication of the virus at human core body temperatures. Secondary transmission from a person recently vaccinated with LAIV resulting in clinically important illness has not been reported.[3]
“I cannot get the vaccine because I am pregnant or have an underlying medical condition or because I live with an immunocompromised person.” “Refusing vaccination because of underlying conditions such as pregnancy or history of organ transplantation may actually harm those at greatest risk of complications from influenza. For years, these groups have been specifically recommended for influenza vaccination because the vaccine is safe in these persons and can prevent serious morbidity and mortality.”[4]
I never get the flu, I am healthy I don’t need it. Some adults may not get the same symptoms as others. This does not mean that they cannot transmit the virus to others. Refusing to get the vaccine may put those around you who cannot get vaccinated at a higher risk because you could be the person who spread s the virus to them. This reasoning has caused many hospitals to make the flu shot mandatory for their employees.
In order to assure the greatest safety and the least spread of the flu virus people need to be vaccinated. Misconceptions about the flu vaccine need to be continued to be addressed to educate people about the risk and prevention.[5]
[1] Osterholm MT, Kelley NS, Sommer A, Belongia EA. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2012;12(1):36-44
[2] Jain VK, Rivera L, Chandrasekaran V, et al. Efficacy of an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine candidate in children 3-8 years of age [abstract 1793]. Presented at IDWeek Scientific Meeting; October 17-21, 2012; San Diego, CA
[3] Talbot TR, Babcock H, Cotton D, et al. The use of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in healthcare personnel (HCP): guidance from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2012;33(10):981-983
