4 debunked flu vaccine myths

Vaccines save lives. But despite this, many older people don't get vaccinated because they believe these myths about the flu vaccine.

• Getting the flu vaccine every year for six years can reduce the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia by 39 percent, and of hospitalization for all respiratory conditions by 32 percent.
• In addition, the risk of being hospitalized for congestive heart failure drops by 27 percent, and the overall risk of dying dropped by half.
• The healthier the individual, the greater the risk reduction.
• Plus, studies have found that the vaccine seems to protect against stroke and against heart attacks in those with preexisting heart disease.
• This protection is probably due to the fact that infections like the flu increase inflammation. This can knock plaque off artery walls and send it into the bloodstream, where it can block vessels to the heart or brain.

Yes, the vaccine contains tiny amounts of mercury (thimerosal) as a preservative. However, this small amount will not hurt you.

• The ideal time to get vaccinated is a full month before the season peaks, usually November.
• It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to fully activate your immune system.
• But any time during flu season (October 1 through May 31) is still a good time to be vaccinated.

• The flu vaccine is made from inactivated, or dead, viruses. There's no way they can infect you.
• The new nasal vaccine (FluMist) is made with weakened versions of live vi-ruses, but it's not approved for use in people over 49 or those with weakened immune systems.
• Even in studies of FluMist involving hundreds of healthy children and adults, however, there was no evidence that the vaccine itself resulted in the flu.
• If you get sick after having a flu shot, and even if you get the flu, it's not due to the vaccine. You simply have a virus that differs from those used to make up that year's batch of vaccine.

Should you get a flu shot each year? Based on objective scientific studies, the answer is yes. They can better your health in more ways than one, and make your family and community healthier, too.