Which Is Worse, Influenza Or The Vaccine?

The next few posts will deal with the subject of influenza and the dangers the disease may pose.  There are many arguments against the flu vaccine, as well as for the vaccine.

Up until five years ago, I had never gotten a flu vaccination.  I’d daresay that’s a trait I share with many people.  I had even had it offered at no cost by my employer, and refused to take it.  Why?  The reasons ranged from “It doesn’t work,” to “I don’t like to get shots.”  Then, something changed for me.  My youngest child was diagnosed with asthma.  After hearing that influenza poses significant risks to asthmatics, I determined it was time to make sure my position was sound.

According to the CDC, between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population will contract the flu.  Of those, approximately 200,000 will be hospitalized.  They further estimate that 36,000 people will die from the disease, or its complications, making it the #8 cause of death in the United States!  People with asthma are at an even greater risk, as any respiratory infection can easily trigger the secretions associated with an asthmatic response, heightening the risk of complications.  Since it has been shown that the flu increases susceptibility to pneumonia, the risks to asthmatics are indeed, quite high.  You can see the CDC’s recommendation here, citing the official position regarding the best way to protect those in high risk categories.

The arguments against flu vaccine

The primary arguments against getting a flu vaccination include:

• You’re more likely to get the flu if you get a shot
• It doesn’t work
• It increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and/or autism

The first argument makes little sense.  The injected vaccine is made from a dead virus, and as such it will provoke an immune response, but can not replicate.  The nasal spray (FluMist) is a live vaccine, modified and weakened, so it can only replicate at temperatures achieved in the upper respiratory tract, but not proceed to the lungs.

The concern about Alzheimer’s and autism may be valid.  Most vaccines contain a preservative.  In the case of the flu vaccination, it is a compound called thimerosal.  Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound.  There are a number of sources, including here, and here that cite the concerns, with supporting evidence.

With some research, we discovered that a thimerosal-free versions of the vaccine is available.  You can read about them at the CDC’s website.  These are available primarily to pediatric patients, and you may find that your doctor is not even aware they exist.  But, I can attest to the fact that you can order them specifically for your child, if your doctor is willing.  It is also worth noting that FluMist does not contain thimerosal, and therefore provides an option to adults.

The decision to get the flu vaccination for your kids is very personal.  A good book for providing facts on flu vaccinations for kids is The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child (Sears Parenting Library).  We made the decision to take the vaccine and give it to our children.  Regardless of the effectiveness, since we could get a preservative-free version for both ourselves and our children, we believe it to be the best thing we could do to protect them.