Contents:
- Medical Video: Flu vaccine risks and benefits | Infectious diseases | Health & Medicine | Khan Academy
- Myth 1: Vaccines for flu can actually make you catch a cold
- Myth 2: A flu vaccine can make you immune from the flu virus for life
- Myth 3: Flu vaccine can cause side effects
- Myth 4: The flu vaccine can harm pregnant women and their babies
- Myth 5: Children don't need to get a flu vaccine
- Myth 6: The flu vaccine is not effective enough because there are still people who get flu after being immunized
Medical Video: Flu vaccine risks and benefits | Infectious diseases | Health & Medicine | Khan Academy
Flu vaccine or influenza vaccine is a vaccine that is useful to protect the body from the attack of flu viruses. This vaccine is important for routine administration given the rapid spread of the flu virus. However, there are still many myths circulating in the community about vaccines for this flu. As a result, many people believe this rumor without knowing the truth.
For this reason, let's straighten out six myths about vaccines for flu that are outdated and don't need to be trusted anymore. Here are the myths and their explanation.
Myth 1: Vaccines for flu can actually make you catch a cold
In fact, vaccines for flu that are injected in you contain flu viruses that have died or are no longer active so you might not catch the flu after getting this vaccine.
However, there are other types of flu vaccines which are in the form of nasal sprays which are usually intended for children. This flu vaccine does contain a flu virus but that has been weakened, it is not risky to give a flu virus to your child.
Myth 2: A flu vaccine can make you immune from the flu virus for life
Basically, there is no guarantee that if you get a flu vaccine then you don't need to renew it in the future. Pasanya, flu viruses can continue to experience changes every year. Vaccines for flu will usually provide protection against the flu virus more or less only during one year after you are vaccinated.
Therefore, it is important to get the flu vaccine again within one year after the last vaccine.
Myth 3: Flu vaccine can cause side effects
Side effects from vaccines are rare. If there are any, vaccines for flu will not cause severe side effects. Usually it will only cause mild fever, redness, pain, and swelling in the area of the injection site. But take it easy, this condition will usually improve on its own in a few days.
Myth 4: The flu vaccine can harm pregnant women and their babies
In fact, pregnant women have a higher risk of complications if they catch the flu. Serious complications that can develop from flu are bronchitis and chest infections that can cause pneumonia. Even worse, it can cause babies born prematurely or born with low birth weight (LBW).
For that, there is no reason that can prevent you from refusing to get a flu vaccine while pregnant. Because the vaccine is actually beneficial to provide protection for you and your baby in your womb.
Myth 5: Children don't need to get a flu vaccine
Actually, everyone needs a flu vaccine, including babies, toddlers, and children over 6 months old. This vaccine also includes children who have had problems with the respiratory system before.
Even so, there are several conditions that prohibit the administration of flu vaccines. As in infants under 6 months, as well as children or adults who have severe allergies with the contents in the vaccine, namely gelatin, eggs, or other ingredients.
Myth 6: The flu vaccine is not effective enough because there are still people who get flu after being immunized
Although vaccines play a role in preventing the entry of viruses into the body, some people may still be infected. This condition is reasonable and may occur because the flu virus has entered the body of the person first before being given a vaccine for flu.
Even in some cases, flu can strike children as a result of flu viruses when the spray flu vaccine still reacts. No need to worry, this case still includes mild and rare. In fact, the flu vaccine will ease flu symptoms if the virus then attacks your health, rather than not getting the vaccine at all.
