#immunize

It’s that time of year, folks: flu season! I encourage everyone to get the flu shot - many communities even offer it for free. 

I know some people have concerns about vaccinations, so I thought I would do some flu-shot myth-busting. 

Myth #1: The flu shot can give you the flu!

There is no risk of the flu shot giving you the flu. The vaccination contains only a portion of the flu virus - it cannot make more copies of itself, and so it cannot infect you. 

“But I got sick after getting the flu shot!”

The flu shot can cause soreness and mild swelling at the site of injection, as well as fatigue and fever for 1-2 days after the injection. This is the immune system responding to the vaccine - it means it’s working!

If you experienced a full-blown flu-like illness after a flu shot in the past, it was likely just bad luck: you caught a virus around the same time you got the flu shot. 

Myth #2: The flu shot doesn’t work!:

The flu shot decreases your risk of getting the flu by about 50% (higher or lower depending on the year). 

Even if you get the flu, having the vaccine means you’ll have less severe symptoms, and get better faster. 

Myth #3: Influenza isn’t serious.

Although most people who get the flu will make a full recovery, influenza kills thousands of people every year. 

Infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems (cancer, HIV, etc) are especially at risk for severe complications. By getting your flu shot, you protect these people from getting seriously sick. 

Myth #4: I already got the shot last year!

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, which is why we need a new one every year. This year’s virus covers different strains of influenza than last year’s, so it’s important to get an annual vaccination. 

a popular cop-op that some anti-vaxxers use when approached by the topic of immunizing children, is that choosing to immunize can lead to a higher chance of catching the illness that one is being immunized against. Or catching the illness outright and suffering affects.

Immunization is a chance factor. In rare cases, the shot can have adverse affects on the one immunized, but this is also so few and far between. And it was relayed to me by a physician, as we were concerned with giving someone a shot, that in most cases of adverse reactions, the one immunized has already contracted the illness they are being immunized against.

Because the incubation period of a virus can vary from hours or days, it is impossible to discern from where the virus was obtained, as equally as it is impossible to avoid those that may be incubating the virus. The incubation period does not always produce the symptoms, and as a society hinged on reporting to work despite a known illness (a flock behavior might I add), many individuals as mastered at concealing heavy viruses.

A factor of chance is involved when choosing to immunize or to not immunize. True, adverse reactions have occurred in some that have been immunized, but IT IS EASIER to deal with adverse reactions.A higher rate of recovery and control can be maintained in this situation. 

What cannot be controlled is the kill rate of feral viruses which invade the body. They are predators more deadly than apex hunters - such as lions, dogs, or bears - their goal is survival, same as the multi-celled organism. They will adapt to new conditions, to insure the survival of their cells.

In short, daily, we encounter those that are ill at a higher rate than we encounter a single, life-long shot. Due to incubation periods, it is impossible to discern where these dangers exist, which is why immunization is critical. It is a protective ward against the unseen predators, which will eat our own cells from the inside out. The rate of immunity cannot be built up to contend with this rate of contact.

Essential oils and super vitamins is the equivalent of building a fence without nailing anything together, you have some of the materials and pieces there, but it isn’t enough.

Same with trying to build the immune system by going straight for the illness; its like laying cement without a mold, you cannot control what will happen or how it’ll shape up. And if you have enough wet cement, it is dangerous.

Be wise & immunize Let's join hands & create awareness that the impact of vaccination is not only limited to improving health or life expectancy, it also has a social or economic impact on the community. National Vaccination Day 2023.!