The 2018-19 flu season is upon us. Influenza is a viral disease that can lead to deadly complications including pneumonia and death. During the last flu season, 80,000 Americans died, including over 200 children. Although the very young and the very old are at most risk, thousands of healthy adults and children die yearly of this disease.

Every year, several influenza vaccines are available for use in preventing the disease. Each vaccine is created to combat the strains that are predicted to be the most prevalent. The CDC recommends that all people receive the flu vaccine yearly, including infants from 6 months and older. It is recommended that flu vaccination be completed by the end of October.

There are many myths associated with the use of the flu vaccine. The injectable vaccine is created from inactivated (“dead”) flu particles and thus cannot cause the flu. There are many other viruses that are found during the same seasons as the flu that can mimic influenza.

The multi-dose vials of flu do contain small amounts of thimerosal as a preservative. Thimerosol is a derivative of mercury and many people worry about “mercury poisoning” from thimerosol. The trace amount of this substance in the flu vaccine is equal to the amounts of mercury found in a regular diet. There have never been any reports of heavy metal poisoning involving thimerosol or mercury from vaccines. There are flu vaccine preparations that come in single dose units that are thimerosol free. Most children’s doses are single dose units.

While the yearly flu vaccine covers between 3-4 of the strains of influenza, studies have shown that people who are vaccinated get milder versions of the flu illness even if the strain is not covered by the yearly vaccine. Data from the 2016-17 flu season shows that the flu vaccine prevented over 5 million cases of the flu and over 80,000 flu-related hospitalizations. Vaccination has also been shown to be helpful in pregnant women and their newborn children.

More information about the Influenza vaccine as well as misconceptions regarding the vaccine can be found at the CDC website. The following links can take you directly to that information.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm

Please feel free to call your primary care provider with any further questions about the flu vaccine or flu in general.