The 2012-2013 flu season has been a bit of a shock everyone this year. After posting a record low number of influenza cases last year, clinics and hospitals are seeing a dramatic increase. The final quarter of 2012 saw more than 22,000 reported cases, 25 times higher than the previous year.
In response to the outbreak, some states have declared a state of emergency to help with the distribution of vaccines. Many colleges and universities have set up flu shot stations on campus and are either subsidizing or freely distributing the vaccine.
Princeton University for example is offering free shots Thursday, January 17th to all staff and students on a first come first serve basis. The Frist Campus Center MPR will be open from 9 am to 5 pm with no appointments. A Princeton University ID will be required. Shots are available for dependents ages 9 and above for $24, payable by cash or check only.
You might be thinking, “it’s too late to get a shot”. Not true, there are multiple strains of influenza going around this year and early numbers show that far fewer people are getting vaccinated this year compared to previous years. Due to that fact, the flu outbreak level is high and likely to linger for quite a while.
Let’s dispel a few other common beliefs while we’re at it. “The flu shot made me sick.” No, it didn’t. A vaccine contains a dead cell or one that is modified so it cannot get you sick. But, statistically flu shots are less than 50% effective. They do not make you immune to the flu, just reduce your chances of getting sick.
Not only is this flu season, but it’s also cold and respiratory illness season too. People often get a flu shot, catch a cold, then blame the shot for giving them the flu, which is not only a misdiagnosis but a flawed correlation.
Many people falsely believe that antibiotics will help fight the flu, it won’t. Antibiotics fight bacteria, influenza is a virus, completely different beast. The stomach flu, can have symptoms similar to influenza, such as body aches, fatigue and fever but is a different type of virus, not affected by common vaccines.
“I don’t need vaccines, because enough other people get the vaccine,” is one of the most dangerous and careless attitudes we face today. What many don’t realize is that many illnesses are almost non-existent because of years of vaccinations by the majority of the populace. Something known as herd immunity. Since the general populace is resistant, a virus or disease has difficulty spreading and can be contained quickly. When herd immunity is lowered, the risk of outbreak is much higher and becomes drastically more difficult to contain and treat.
Generally 75-85% of the community needs to be vaccinated to see herd immunity take effect. According to a recent poll, only 2 out of 3 healthcare workers get a flu shot, while children and adults between 10-75 are about half as likely to get vaccinated.