The Facts
Experts predict a severe flu season. Estimates indicate that between 25-50 Million Americans will be afflicted with aches, chills, fever and other symptoms of influenza. Many seek protection by getting a flu shot. But do flu shots really work? And more importantly, are they safe?
Dr. W. Paul Glezen from Baylor Influenza Research Center says, "We had such a mild epidemic last winter it means the population has a susceptibility to the three viruses that are currently circulating the world."
Drug companies are shipping approximately 70 million doses of flu vaccines for the upcoming season. But who really needs protection? Government statistics indicate that people with low immune systems--those who run a high risk of complications from the flu should get the vaccine. The elderly and those with heart or lung disease are also prime candidates for the shot because their immune systems are already weakened and likely would be unable to fend off influenza.
But the flu shot is not without risk. The medical community warns that some groups of people should avoid flu shots. Two groups are people with neurological disorders and severe reactions to eating eggs, while another more alarming group includes those suffering form multiple sclerosis (MS)--a neurological disease. The problem is that millions of Americans may have undiagnosed MS. One recent study indicated a presence of MS in 20 percent of the autopsies performed--meaning 25 million people or more should avoid the flu shot--but wouldn't know enough to stay away.
There are also others at risk. Martha Grimes was 60, and a good candidate when she received her first ever flu shot in the fall of 1993. Four days later, Grimes' immune system reacted to the shot and began attacking her eye tissue. Doctors have been unable to stop the destruction. "I can't read, I can't pick out a card..."
Even though Grimes has recently been declared legally blind, she doesn't think the public should necessarily avoid the shot. "We were told my mother-in-law should have it and she was 90 some years old... She had it every year, there was never any problem."
Most consumers ask, if I get the shot, can I still get the flu? According to Glezen, the answer is "yes". "The influenza vaccine is not 100 percent, but it will significantly reduce the chance of getting the complications," he says.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) claim the vaccines, are about 70 percent effective in preventing influenza in healthy persons under 65 years of age--provided there is a good match between the vaccine and circulating viruses.
But Dr. Kristin Severyn of Dayton, Ohio, argues vaccines just don't work very well. "In what's called the 'frail elderly,' the effectiveness drops down to 30 or 40 percent."
Severyn says, those who need protection the most--the sick and elderly--may actually benefit the least by influenza vaccines. Part of the problem with the flu shots is matching the vaccine to the viruses that spread. Since viruses mutate continually, the CDC must keep designing new combinations of vaccines. "Almost a year ahead of time the people at CDC have to look at their 'crystal ball' and predict..." explains Severyn.
And if the flu season is particularly lengthy, those antibodies created in response to the vaccine begin weakening. So even a well-designed shot would not protect you against the flu after approximately three months.
Currently, no research exists determining whether there are
long-term negative effects from the flu vaccine. But those considering a flu vaccine can
still make an informed decision through careful research and knowing that the flu vaccine
is an option.
Standards To Live By
"My son, give attention to my words, include your ear to my sayings...keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body"