Sorry, but it's another vaccine post...

Today I found another great article concerning vaccines. Just last week I was in Des Moines working on my immunization certification, and this week I had an exam in which some of the material dealt with vaccines, so vaccines and immunizations are fresh in my mind right now.

Since we are on the cusp of flu season, I felt it was pertinent to post this article and remind everyone how important it is to get a flu shot. There are a lot of people I know who still won't get a flu shot either because they are terrified of needles or are convinced that getting the shot might actually give them the flu. As health professionals, we need to do whatever we can to dispel the myth that getting the vaccine can cause the flu, and instead educate our patients about how dangerous the flu actually can be (it kills 36,000 Americans every year - mostly the elderly and very young) and encourage them to receive a vaccination.

Kids may not want to get a flu shot because they are afraid of getting shots, but I believe parents should be more insistent that their children receive the shots anyway, because in the grand scheme of things, actually getting the flu is much, much, worse than any transient anxiety that comes with getting a shot. Health professionals should join the CDC in doing all they can to encourage children to get a flu shot!