Is a Flu Shot Necessary? Doctors in Tampa, FL, Weigh In

As influenza season approaches and you start to see signs in almost every pharmacy and grocery store urging you to get your annual flu shot, you might begin to wonder: Is a flu shot really necessary?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone older than six months, emphasizing that it is especially important for people at high risk of flu complications. High-risk individuals include adults 65 and older, pregnant women, health care professionals, and those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Despite the CDC’s broad recommendations, however, many people are still skeptical. To help ensure that you make the best decision for yourself and your family members, here are some questions to consider:

How Much of a Threat Is the Flu?

Influenza is a miserable respiratory illness that causes most people to miss about three days of work or school. Getting a flu shot can help you avoid this—and more. The flu virus can potentially cause serious complications, such as ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, pneumonia, and the worsening of certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes. And even though a flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, it will reduce your risk of contracting both illnesses simultaneously.

Influenza is also highly contagious. So, in addition to protecting yourself, a flu shot can help you protect others from catching the virus from you.

How Effective Is the Flu Vaccine?

While the overall effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year, it generally protects approximately two-thirds of the people who receive it. The main reason for the variation is that researchers must predict which influenza strains will be most prevalent in the coming months. Because flu viruses are capable of mutating very rapidly, a flu vaccine “mismatch” is highly possible.

Can You Get The Flu From the Flu Vaccine?

This is a common misconception. It is medically impossible to contract influenza from a flu shot, which contains either an inactivated flu virus or only a single protein from the flu virus.

If you’re still wondering whether a flu shot is necessary, you are welcome to speak with a health care professional at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, FL. We can provide personalized advice about whether an annual flu vaccine is a good idea for you.