Flu vaccines crucial for virus prevention and protection for the weak
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
September 11, 2015
Influenza vaccinations are essential for preventing the spread of flu and maintaining the overall health of people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.” The virus spreads when bodily fluids expelled through sneezing, coughing or speaking are inhaled by people up to six feet away. The virus is extremely contagious and can last up to 24 hours before an affected person begins to show symptoms.
“The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year,” said the CDC.
Although some people may think getting the annual shot is trivial or harmful, people’s immune systems decline throughout the year and annual vaccinations are needed.
Free flu vaccinations are administered at the Academy to students in junior kindergarten to eighth grade, who are at higher risk for the virus because of their age. This year vaccinations will administered on Nov. 3. The deadline for registering was Sept. 4.
These vaccinations come in the forms of a shot or a nasal spray.
A common misconception about the flu shot is that it can cause the flu. However, the vaccination is either made with an inactive version of the flu virus so that it cannot infect a person or it contains no trace of the virus at all.
The nasal spray does not cause the flu either.
The flu vaccine nasal spray is created with a weakened version of the virus which is adapted to the cold. It can only cause infection in the cooler temperatures in the nose and cannot flourish in the warmer temperatures, such as the lungs, where the virus can infect the rest of the body.
Getting vaccinated for the flu is crucial to preventing infection and maintaining one’s immunity against the virus. In addition, it is a courtesy to others and helps protect them from the contagious disease.
Not getting the flu vaccination is a chance that should not be taken. The most endangered are the very young, the very old or those people with compromised immune systems. Flu can cause death.
