Who should get the flu vaccine?
A flu shot is your best shot at protection
Flu vaccine is 75 to 90 percent effective in preventing infection. Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from highly purified, egg-grown viruses that have been rendered noninfectious.
The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies that protect it against the virus. Even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. The reason being, each year the flu strain changes and your body slowly loses its immunity to the flu.
Anyone would benefit from getting the flu vaccine, but it is especially important for those in a High Risk Category.
High Risk categories:
- Anyone with a long-term health problem with:
- heart disease
- asthma
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- lung disease
- anemia or other blood disorders
- Anyone with a weakened immune system due to:
- HIV/AIDS
- Long-term steroid treatment
- Cancer treatment
- Anyone up to 18 years of age on long term aspirin therapy
- Pregnant women past their 3rd month of pregnancy
Who should NOT get the flu shot?
- Anyone who is allergic to eggs or who has had a previous allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or people with a history of Guillain Barre'.
Taken from: UMass Lowell Student Health Services McGauvran Student Center