Advantages of Flu Vaccine, Especially For Diabetics
A frequent discussion I have with patients toward the end of every year is encouraging them to get their flu shot by discussing the advantages of the flu vaccination. Influenza outbreaks are common during the fall and winter months, increasing in October and November, peaking between December and March, and can last as late as May. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides a website for tracking flu cases both nationally & in our region ("South Atlantic"), based on reports from health care facilities in each area. Efforts to use internet search technology, such as Google's now defunct FluTrends has proven inaccurate. Sometimes collecting data the old way is still better, even in the 21st Century.
The Advantages of the Flu Vaccination
One of the biggest advantages of the flu vaccination is how effective it is. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The vaccine was very effective in 2015-2016 season, reducing the risk of illness from influenza by 60%. Unfortunately, only half of Americans annually get flu vaccines, even though influenza immunization is generally free for anyone with health insurance, a requirement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").
Flu vaccine is very safe and cannot cause flu. The vaccines contain inactivated virus, meaning the viruses are no longer infectious. Commonly reported complaints from immunizations including soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, mild headache, low fever or muscle aches are evidence that the immune system is developing resistance to the virus in case of a "real" infection. In essence, proof that you are "getting your money's worth" from the vaccine.
Influenza is not a trivial illness in many persons. Persons with a high risk of serious flu complications or death include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions affecting the heart and lungs, and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In the last severe Influenza season (2003-2004), over 48,000 American died of flu and its complications.
A recent medical study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that people with Type 2 diabetes may get an added benefit from the flu vaccine: a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This article in the New York Times reported on the results of the study:
... people with Type 2 diabetes who had gotten the flu vaccine had a 30 percent lower risk of stroke, a 22 percent lower risk of heart failure and a 24 percent lower risk of dying from all causes. They also had a slightly lower, but statistically insignificant, risk for heart attack.
So, to summarize among the obvious effect of not getting the flu, these are the advantages of the flu vaccination: free protection with an effective & safe vaccine from a potentially deadly illness -- what's not to like? Get that flu shot!
