My arm is sore. Yesterday I got my flu shot.
I know it’s controversial.
I know it’s not a great vaccine.
I know it can cause minor flu-like symptoms.
But I didn’t get it for me.
I did it to help others.
Vaccinating the general population offers protection for people who are immune compromised and can’t be vaccinated themselves.
There is a little girl I know with leukemia. Her immune system is destroyed from chemotherapy.
If everyone who comes into contact with her has been vaccinated, it significantly decreases her chances of getting infected.
Here is a quote from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
“Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Despite the many benefits offered by flu vaccination, only about half of Americans get an annual flu vaccine and flu continues to cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths.
Many more people could be protected from flu if more people got vaccinated.”
My father-in-law is in his 80s. As people age, their immune system has a more difficult time keeping up. If everyone around him is vaccinated, it decreases his chances of getting the flu. Death from pneumonia, especially as a complication of the flu virus, is a significant risk in the elderly.
So I proudly have a sore arm. Not for myself, but for those in my circle that need protection.
Please get yours as well.
Help protect others who can’t protect themselves.
It’s the right thing to do.
Dr Vet Sonya 