I Am a Flu Shot Phobic
It’s not that I’m afraid of needles. I’m just not a big fan of having anything injected into my body. As a healthy 48-year-old woman, I figure I can fight the germs off. But this past summer I had a nasty flu that knocked me flat. Wrapped in a blanket shivering on the couch while everyone else soaked up the sunshine gave me a lot of time to think about the same question I ask myself every fall: should I get the flu shot?
Seasonal Flu Shot Facts
I’ve heard so many crazy and conflicting statements from people about the flu shot. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, here are the straight goods about flu shots that have helped alleviate my fears.
You can’t get the flu from the flu shot because the virus is dead. Your immune system will create the right antibodies to fight off the real virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. state that minor side effects could include: swelling, soreness or redness where the shot was given; aches or low grade fever.
Severe allergic reaction is very rare occurring less than once in every million vaccinations given in Canada. And the reactions are treatable.
Even though you say you never get sick, unfortunately you might, so the flu shot will help lower your risk of catching the flu, make the symptoms less severe and reduce the risk of you giving the flu to other more vulnerable people.
What About the H1N1 Flu Shot?
This is a separate shot from the seasonal flu shot. Numerous reports and discussions have taken place on TV and radio that are enough to make your head spin! The Public Health Agency has this to say about the H1N1 vaccine.
The Canadian government plans to purchase 50.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, enough to meet the needs of every Canadian.
Getting the seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the H1N1 flu.You need to have the H1N1 flu shot to assist in protecting you from the H1N1 flu.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, states that you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating pork.
Outside of Canada
If you plan on travelling outside of Canada anytime soon, check out the Global Issues section of the Canadian government’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade website. It has a ton of information about situations around the world including H1N1 flu.
Putting my phobia aside, I’ll be looking for a clinic in my area to get the flu shots when they become available. Anyone else suffer from flu shot phobia? I’d love to hear from you.
