It's time to ask the million-dollar question of every winter: should you get a flu shot?
This question has been hotly debated for years, with advocates supporting the vaccine and lamenting there aren't enough to go around, while opponents cite the chemicals used and citing incidents of the flu in people after they were given the shot.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the flu is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths a year. In the 2007-2008 flu season, 83 children were reported as dying from the flu or flu-like symptoms.
The Mayo clinic website states the flu shot is recommended for children or people who meet the following requirements:
- Are age 6 months up to 19 years
- Are pregnant
- Are 50 years old or older
- Have a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney or lung disease
- Have a weakened immune system such as from medications or HIV infection
- Are residents of a nursing home or other long term care facility
- Are child care workers or health care workers or live with or care for someone at high risk of complications from the flu
During the flu shot shortage in 2004, people under the age of 65 were urged to forgo the shot for the sake of senior citizens, who were considered to need it more. However, the shot's benefits for seniors are being questioned, and the focus is shifting to another age group considered to be at high risk for the flu: children. As a result, some are considering a requirement that children between the ages of 5-18 be vaccinated.
However, this requirement's results my be questionable, as a study from the past two years shows flu shots are ineffective in children, and the number of visits to the doctor or the hospital have not decreased as a result of getting the shot.
Currently, the shot is optional, and it is up to the individual to determine whether or not it is necessary.
Whether or not you receive the shot, here's to a healthy winter for everyone!
