FEATURE — There are many misconceptions about the flu shot and whether it’s really necessary to receive one every year. To find out just how important receiving the flu vaccination is, St. George News sat down with local expert Brad Stapley, owner of Stapley pharmacy.
What exactly is the flu vaccine, and why get it every year?
The vaccine itself contains an inactive flu virus that is injected into the body to build up an immunity against the flu. That way, if the person comes in contact with the virus later, their body is already immune to the flu and won’t contract it.
However, the strain of the flu virus is slightly different each season, making it necessary to receive the new flu shot on a yearly basis.
“Every year the flu virus is different and so we have to formulate the vaccine against that strain each and every year,” Stapley said.
Even though receiving the flu vaccine means exposing the body to the flu virus itself, it is not possible to get the flu from the shot.
“It’s an inactive virus. And being inactive, it won’t replicate, it won’t grow in your body. It will provide an immune response and that is it,” Stapley said.
Additionally, it takes about two weeks for the protection to kick in following the vaccine, so if someone is exposed to the virus in the days bbefore getting the vaccine or within that two-week period after, they could still get the flu, which often leads to the misconception that the vaccine caused the illness.
While anyone can come down with the flu, certain people, mainly senior citizens, children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses, have a greater risk, making it even more important for people in these groups to receive the vaccine.
Having a strong immune system is good, but may not always protect a person from getting the flu. Even those in good health or those who have never been sick from the flu before should receive the flu shot.
“It’s never too late to get the flu shot. I would encourage you to come by our pharmacy, come by your pharmacy, and get protected today,” Stapley said.
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