5 Myths about the Flu Vaccine
Flu season is upon us, and with it comes a variety of myths about flu vaccines.
Be sure you know the truth about this deadly disease — and what you can do to prevent it!
Myth #1. Only people at “high risk” need to be vaccinated.
While it is crucial that people at high risk of developing flu-related complications — including those with chronic medical conditions, children under the age of 5, adults ages 65 and over, and pregnant women — be vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months and older gets vacccinated.
Myth #2. I don’t need a flu shot this year because I got one last year.
Every year a different virus causes the flu, and therefore a different vaccine is developed. You need a flu shot every year to protect yourself from the flu.
Myth #3. I need to wait until flu season to get the flu shot.
The best time to get a flu vaccine is right now — before flu season. The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated by the end of October. It takes approximately two weeks for vaccination to be effective, and you want to be sure you are safe well before flu season starts.
However, even if you miss this end-of-October deadline, you should still get the vaccine. Whatever you can do to reduce your chance of getting the flu is worth doing, even if it’s as late as January or February.
Myth #4. I can’t get the flu shot because I’m allergic to eggs.
Although certain flu vaccines are grown from eggs, the CDC says that people with egg allergies can still get a flu vaccine. You should, however, talk to your doctor about your allergy before being vaccinated.
There are very few people who should not get a flu vaccine. This group includes people who have had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past, and people who have had a rare disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
If you have any question about whether you should receive the flu vaccine, check with your doctor.
Myth #5. Getting the flu vaccine guarantees that I will not get the flu.
Unfortunately, people who have been vaccinated can still get the flu. This might be because they have been exposed to a flu virus that is different from the viruses the vaccine is designed for, because they were exposed to the flu virus before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period it takes for the vaccination to take effect, or because the flu vaccine doesn’t work the same in everyone who receives it.
Nevertheless, if you get the flu vaccine, you are less likely to get the flu — and even if you get it, you are likely to get less sick than if you had not been vaccinated.
At Laurel Bay Health and Rehabilitation Center, in the scenic beach town of Keansburg, NJ, we know the truth about the flu, and work to protect our residents from the danger it presents.
Our residents receive the highest quality rehabilitative and skilled nursing care in a homelike and compassionate environment conducive to healing.
Our family-owned and -operated 123-bed facility, is tucked away in the quiet beach town of Keansburg, NJ at the Jersey Shore, within sight of Sandy Hook and the New York City skyline.
Our services include short-term rehab, long-term care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice care, and respite care for those times when the caretaker needs to be taken care of.
We proudly provide the following specialty healthcare services: complex medical care management, intravenous (IV) therapy, wound care, enteral feeding, pain management, oxygen therapy, tracheostomy care, a dedicated pulmonary program, hospice care with private suites, a stroke rehab program, respiratory support, eye care, dental care, podiatry care, and psychological consults and counseling.
We pride ourselves on healing the entire patient through a holistic and individualized approach.
Our meticulous care planning helps us ensure that each and every resident receives the best in clinical care, support and unconditional love.
For over 25 years, we have been a staple of health and wellness, serving the members of our community and partnering with our local hospitals like Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, NJ and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ.
We provide a tailored program of physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as all types of specialized care under one roof.
Read our reviews on senioradvisor.com, wellness.com, and caring.com to hear what our residents and their families have to say.
Or better yet, come see for yourself. Contact us to schedule a tour by clicking here or by calling (372) 787-8100.