Real Answers Help Build Employee Confidence & Participation "Let’s clear up some of the Myths & Facts about seasonal flu and the vaccine"

The flu is caused by a virus that spreads quickly from person to person, usually through a cough or sneeze. It normally takes only a day to incubate but can last up to 48 hours on telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, coffee pot handles and other everyday office items shared by productive yet vulnerable co-workers. Those who do get infected can be contagious for as long as a week before symptoms appear and then for another 3 to 4 days after. Infected workers should go home and stay home until they are no longer contagious. Symptoms of the flu include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Body aches
• Stuffy nose
• Dry cough

“I’ll get the flu from the flu shot.”

This a common misconception. Flu vaccines are made from inactive (killed) viruses, so you cannot get the flu or flu-like symptoms from a flu shot. You may have had the virus in your system before you received the vaccine without even knowing. In this case, you could contract the flu but it is likely that it will be much less severe.

“The side effects of the vaccine are worse than the flu itself.”

Serious problems from influenza vaccine are very rare. The most common side effect that a person is likely to experience is soreness where the injection was given. For the few who are affected this way, the soreness usually goes away in a day or two. However, there are people who should not be given influenza vaccine:

• Infants less than 6 months of age.
  
• People who are allergic to eggs, egg products, or to any component of the vaccine.
• Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
• Anyone who is sick and has a fever; in this instance, influenza vaccination should be rescheduled.

“The vaccine isn’t 100% effective.”

Studies have shown that for healthy young adults the flu vaccine is up to 90% effective in preventing the flu. More importantly, for others who get the shot but still get the flu, they will be far less sick and reduce their chances of complications than if they didn’t get the flu shot.

“I got vaccinated last year, so I’m protected this season.”

New influenza strains circulate every flu season, so the vaccine is changed each year. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine each year is absolutely dependent upon the choice of influenza strains that comprise that year’s vaccine. Three different flu viruses form the basis of the vaccine. “Emerging flu strains” are coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network.