Flu shot also protects those around you

What do back-to-school sales, pumpkin spice lattes, and influenza vaccines have in common? The best time to take advantage of these things is in the autumn. When it comes to flu shots, this is especially true, for a number of reasons. However, more people are likely to stand in line for a pricey cup of coffee, than for a potential life-saving vaccine. 

As a nurse, I’m asked frequently about my recommendation about the influenza vaccine. There is plenty of misinformation and myths that dissuade patients and friends from vaccinating. To ensure I can provide the most up-to-date information, I attend classes, conferences and speak directly with the top-notch experts of vaccinology research. 

What I end up telling hesitant friends and patients that there are three reasons you should get this vaccine. One is for you, for your family and your community. 

Yes, it’s true that the flu shot gets a bad beating in the media when the researchers find it is less efficient that we had hoped. However, here’s the main point that’s often overlooked. People who get their flu vaccine may still get the flu, but they’ll get much less sick than they would have if they didn’t. 

Most reactions to the vaccine are mild. Getting the flu vaccine could mean the difference of feeling sick and tired for three days on the couch or being sick and intubated in the medical intensive care unit for three weeks.

It’s important to remember that when you get your flu vaccine, you don’t just protect yourself; you protect others around you, especially your family and loved ones. 

The flu virus is spread mostly by direct contact and droplets. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, virus droplets can travel six feet or more. If you’re in close quarters, like most families, one sick family member will very easily transmit the virus to other family members. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “most healthy adults are able to infect other people beginning  day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.”

It’s recommended and highly encouraged that everyone, six months and older who can be vaccinated, should be vaccinated. When everyone who can vaccinate actually does, this strengthens the community Immunity.

As per the CDC, community immunity is “When a critical portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak. Even those who are not eligible for certain vaccines — such as very young infants or immunocompromised individuals — get some protection because the spread of contagious disease is contained.”

One hundred percent of people can’t be vaccinated, but as long as the overwhelming majority of people are, our communities are kept safe. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting your flu vaccine this season.

Melody Anne Butler is a Registered Nurse who works on Long Island, New York, as an Infection Preventionist with previous pediatric nursing experience at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center since 2007.

She is also the Founding Executive Director of Nurses Who Vaccinate, a not-for-profit organization that provides nurses, health care professionals and vaccine advocates with current evidence-based information on immunizations, current recommendations, and benefits of immunizing. 

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.