Top 3 Myths About the Flu Vaccine

Now that it is cold and flu season, you should book your flu vaccine if you have not done so already. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against the more serious consequences of the flu. The flu goes around every year, mostly in the winter and it is a highly infectious illness. That means it spreads very easily from person to person. A flu tends to be much worse than a cold. To keep yourself safe this flu season, book your flu vaccine at the Pearl Chemist Group location in Earlsfield.

What Is The Flu?
The flu is caused by a virus that gets inside of your lungs. Antibiotics are not effective for viruses, but could be needed if there are complications from the flu. The flu is spread through coughs and sneezes of infected individuals.

What Are the Top 3 Myths About the Flu Vaccine?
1.  The flu is not serious, so a vaccine is not needed:  FALSE
In the UK there were nearly 30,000 deaths from the flu/pneumonia in the last recorded year. The vaccine does not prevent you getting the flu, but decreases chances of complications and death.

2.  The flu vaccine causes severe side effects or will give me the flu:  FALSE
The flu vaccine is proven very safe and side effects rare.

The vaccine itself is made from an inactivated virus that doesn’t give you the flu. If you feel achy and feverish, this is normal as your immune system gets to work. It is not the flu.

3.  Pregnant women should not get the flu vaccine:  FALSE
Pregnant women have weaker immune systems than usual, so should absolutely have the flu vaccine. It can be administered at any stage of pregnancy.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?
Everyone should have it, really, but particularly those who are vulnerable to the more severe symptoms of the flu. This includes anyone:

  • Over the 50s
  • With certain health conditions
  • Who is pregnant
  • In long term residential care
  • In receipt of carers allowance
  • Who is a carer
  • Who lives with someone vulnerable
  • Who is a frontline worker

There is no reason to think the flu vaccine is not safe.  However, you should not have the vaccine if you have allergies to gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients. If you have an allergy to eggs, you can request egg-free formulations. Pearl Chemist Group provides flu jabs for your convenience. Visit us online to book your appointment for flu vaccines in Earlsfield today.  www.pearlchemistgroup.co.uk