Influenza virus causes “the flu.” It’s a crummy cold that spreads easily causing high fever, body aches, runny nose, terrible cough, and rarely it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, too. The flu isn’t the “stomach flu.” It’s deadlier than that. It’s more dangerous for babies and young children, and for the elderly. It’s also particularly dangerous for those with asthma, diabetes, and people with neurologic or immune problems. This post is a bit of a plea: people are dying from the flu and there are ways we can potentially save others’ lives. Click through to read 5 myths about the flu and watch a 3-min interview I did for HLN television yesterday.
The bad news: We’re having a bad flu season. More people have the flu this year than at any time last year. This is early—flu usually peaks in Feb or March. The most dominate strain of flu that’s moving around the US is the strain called H3N2—it’s known to cause more serious disease. As of today, we have over 80% of our states reporting widespread circulating levels of flu. Here in Washington many people have been hospitalized from complications of the flu. Further, in Washington 6 people have died, one of them a child under the age of 12. A healthy 17 year-old died in Minnesota just this week. Flu is not just your “common cold,” it can be far worse. Eighteen children have already died this season. As of November, we didn’t even have 1/2 of our population with a flu shot. The goal to protect us all is 90%.
I’ve never had a family in clinic get influenza illness and then refuse the flu shot the following year. They come in early and often for their shots. It’s that bad of an illness.
The good news: We have a vaccine for the virus that causes the flu. The flu shot and flumist nasal spray are effective and that H3N2 strain that we’re worried about, it’s in the flu shot and the nasal flu spray this year. It’s not too late to get a flu shot. You’ll be protected against the flu somewhere from 10 day to 14 days after getting it. Go out now and protect yourself and your family. By getting a shot you protect yourself, your children, and all those more vulnerable in our community unable to get the shot (those infants under 6 mo of age, those on chemo, or those with contraindications to the shot).
Debunking Five Myths About The Flu
- The flu shot doesn’t cause the flu. The shot is an entirely dead virus—it’s impossible for it to replicate in your body and cause infection. The nasal spray is a very weakened strain (imagine a sprinter without legs or a bumble bee without wings) that is unable to replicate in the lungs to cause disease. The most common side effects after the shot and/or the nasal spray is fatigue, lowgrade fever, and runny nose (from the nasal spray).
- You may feel like you “don’t get the flu.” Well, chances are that you do or you might. Research shows that anywhere from 5% to 20% of all adults get influenza every year. Anywhere from 10% to 40% of all children get it annually as well. Sometimes it’s just a mild infection, sometimes it’s far worse. You may not know you’ve had it unless a clinician tests you.
- The flu shot doesn’t work. It does work but like every shot, it’s imperfect. It is possible for someone to still get the flu after a flu shot, but the infection is far less severe when they have had the shot. You need a flu shot every year because the influenza virus mutates while moving around the globe. For more on why you need one every year, watch this 1 1/2 minute video.
- I’m healthy so I don’t need a flu shot. We’re lucky that we’re healthy, but don’t let that fool you. Healthy children and adults die from the flu every year. Often about 1/2 of the children that die from influenza (usually a couple hundred each season) are healthy infants and children. About 30,000 people die every year from flu in the US. The flu shot you get now can help protect you.
- If you don’t “do” flu shots but you now have a child, you must change. Your children, particularly those under age 4 years, and those infants too young to get a shot (under age 6 months) are utterly dependent on you getting a flu shot so you don’t bring influenza home to them. Check out the flu finder widget (above) if you want to find a pharmacy or clinic that will give you the flu shot today.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
“Despite expanded vaccination recommendations, many children are insufficiently vaccinated, and substantial influenza burden remains.”
New study published just yesterday that I failed to include in post:
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/01/02/peds.2012-1255.abstract
Beth says
Yesterday (January 7, 2013) I tried to get a flu vaccine for my 6-year old son. His pediatrician’s office said their flu clinic was closed for the season and I had to make a regular doctor appointment – the first available was January 16. Wanting to get him in sooner, I tried Seattle Public Health (was told they don’t accept my insurance), Children’s Hospital (flu clinic closed and you need to be a patient), the local pharmacy (but they don’t vaccinate kids under 12), and another pediatrician’s office (they won’t vaccinate patients from outside the clinic). If health officials want us all to get vaccinated, it needs to be easier.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thanks, Beth, for taking the time to detail what lengths you went to get your child a flu shot.
My first response is OUTRAGE.
My second response is “this isn’t new.”
This is one of the most frustrating aspects of our health system: access.
Let me spend some time today chatting with people at the Dept of Health, Seattle Children’s, and my own clinic about ways we are working to make this easier.
My assumption (which must be wrong) is that you should be able to go tyo a public health clinic (REGARDLESS of insurance) and get a recommended immunization for your child thanks to the Vaccine For Children program. Will update this with more info as I get it.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Hi Beth,
I don’t really have any great, clarifying news. I didn’t hear back from public health but did hear from my clinic and from Seattle Children’s
The issue is that mass flu shot campaigns tend to happen in Oct/Nov and some stretch into Dec. After that, clinics & pharmacies get flu shots from the state and distribute and give them via their own protocols.
Your comment spurred a discussion about potentially having more walk-in clinics for flu shots. But for now, I don’t know of any.
Seattle Children’s is now focused on immunizing children who have or are patients and those in the hospital and their families
The clinic where I practice (The Everett Clinic) has plentiful supply of shots. But you have to be a patient in our clinic to schedule a shot visit.
I’d recommend you call again and see if any cancellations on the schedule for shot visits to see if you can get your child into their doc tomorrow or over the weekend.
Will keep posting here as I learn more.
Ally says
Why wait for insurance? It only cost 20-25 dollars so isn’t your kid worth that. Most of us spend more than that eating at a restaurant. The flu vaccine is going fast so when you could of got it you should of. GOOD GRIEF.
Malia says
Perhaps I’ve been watching too much news and reading too much online – but this flu is really scaring me. I keep reading about the “otherwise healthy children” who have died of this flu outbreak.
What I am trying to learn, is if the people – both children and adults – who have died thus far of influenza; were they vaccinated? Or, were their deaths completely preventable if they had just received the shot? Do you know the answer to this?
BTW – I have two (very healthy) daughters ages 3 and 5 1/2. They were both immunized back in October, and my husband and I have both received our flu shots as well.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Malia,
I’m sorry the reports are scaring you. IF that’s really the case, I do suggest you take a break from the news reports.
That being said, you’ve done so much to keep your family well! You’ve all got your shots and you’ll be vigilant about hand-washing and staying away from those who are ill.
It’s far less likely that a child will have severe flu after having the shot.
I’m not privy to information about the child who died here in WA state (about immunization status) but a few of the other deaths that I have read about are in un-immunized children.
Deaths are still rare. We want the number to be as close to zero as possible.
I work so hard to author content that isn’t inflated or fear-provoking. The title of this certainly isn’t “calming” but as I wrote, it’s a bit of a plea.
Mona says
Thank you, Dr. Swanson! I just read an article on MSN about the flu this season (we all got our vac.’s back in September), and I made the mistake of reading some of the comments. Full if conspiracy theory, carcinogen spooking, nonsense, and I worry that kind of chatter keeps people from vaccinating themselves and – worse- their children. As you mention, vaccines aren’t perfect, but they are a protective measure… When I think of the immense good vaccines have done (ask anyone who had polio as a child, there are plenty of people around who still remember those days), I find it incomprehensible that some people are so anti-vaccine. Many of us are here today because of vaccines that spared us, our parents, and grandparents from fatal illnesses.
Dawn Hartley says
I am running into to same trouble as Beth. I did find a pharmacy (Bartell’s in Ballard) that takes kids over 5, but my twins are 2.5. Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy in Ballard will immunize at their age, but they ran out of shots today and did not know when they would have more. I’d love to know where to go – waiting for appointment at pediatrician frightenly slow.
Brandy says
Ok my children get vac every year and I do not, this year is scaring me and I remember getting the flu shot as a child and young adult but I have formed anxiety and fear of meds. Do you think I would be allergic to it or should I be ok to take the flu shot? I know this is a crazy question but it is the only thing holding me back from getting the shot.
Isa says
We kept cycling through colds before the holiday break so just got around to the flu shot this week. Because my kids are 2.5 and 7.5 they said we need a booster in four weeks. Ugh. I really wish we had gotten around to it sooner this year, but fingers crossed there will be some immunity in time. Thanks for your public podium and good messages. I know many adults who go around saying “I don’t get the flu” and I know it’s bunk for the most part. For anyone interested, the Country Doctor in Seattle said they still have many free flu shots on hand and they are not closed for the season.
Jen says
Dr. Swanson, As a new mom I love your blog and read it religiously. I’m a huge advocate of getting your flu vaccine every year and early to protect yourself and more importantly the more vulnerable loved ones around you. When having lunch today with my closest friend she disclosed to me that she has chosen not to have her 6 month old baby vaccinated for the flu. I had to ask why, she said her main concern is high levels of mercury as well as other toxic chemicals may pose more risk to her baby then the flu itself. This can’t possibly be true. Can you help debunk this myth?
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thanks, Jen.
Absolutely. There is no thimerosal (the mercury preservative she is likely concerned about) in pediatric flu shots for infants 6-35 months of age. NONE.
Also, no thimerosal in nasal flu spray. So anyone over 2 years of age in her family can get that, too.
Katherine Krieg MD says
I am a pediatrician in Arizona. I just wanted to clarify the thimerosal. Some flu shot preparations have it and some don’t. The multi dose Fluzone vials for all ages 6 mo and up has it, the individual doses syringes do not. Fluarix for age 3 and up does not have it. I believe Fluvirin (age 4 and up) does. I would recommend that concerned parents ask their doctor what is available in their office. What our office gives depends on what we can order and what Vaccines for Children sends us. The majority of the time it is thimerosal free.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Further clarification: This does vary by state. I agree with Dr Krieg about asking the doc for both clarification and for a T-free shot if you’d like.
If you’re in Washington State, none of the 6-35mo doses have thimerosal
Amelie M. says
In response to Dr. Swanson’s merited “outrage” and subsequent public health vaccination clinic inquiries: I was in contact with Vaccines For Children in 2011/2012 as a community health nurse in a Chicago FQHC. Although our clinics accept uninsured, PPO, public aid, and two types of the ever-popular-yet-maddening “public aid HMO”, VFC supplies vaccines only to eligible “uninsured and underinsured” kids 18 and younger. Annually (at least in IL), VFC public health administrators will audit clinics and conduct chart reviews to insure that vaccines are NOT being administered to kids with insurance that covers vaccines and vaccine administration. In other words, from time-to-time our clinics would see established peds patients come into the clinic for a well child exam or other regular appointment. If the patient’s insurance (typically PPO) covered vaccination, our GP had no recourse but to hand the parent a vaccine prescription to take to a pharmacy, rather than use VFC vaccine stock. Considering that missed opportunities are also a no-no with VFC (and FQHC funders), it’s definitely a “head against wall” situation. Here’s a link to VFC eligibility criteria: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/providers/eligibility.html
Note: If the clinic chooses to purchase PRIVATE vaccine stock for the purpose of vaccinating insured patients, that solves the problem. However, some clinics may not be inclined to devote additional space and resources to additional vaccine stock if their PPO demographic is very small… if a clinic already has a stuffed vaccine fridge from VFC, and no workflow for billing for private stock vaccine (and on and on and on…), they may not see net benefit from adding private stock flu vaccine for insured kids. Sadly.
Mary says
“The Anatomy of a Sneeze”, rerun by CNN is worth watching.
Remember, vaccinate, stay home if sick and wash/gel hands!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC0GPy8Fb5I&feature=youtube_gdata
Thanks Dr Swanson for all of the public health messaging.
Best.
Dr Mary
Lauren @ the VEC says
The Vaccine Education Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a variety of resources related to influenza and influenza vaccines. Check them out at https://vaccine.chop.edu or https://vaccine.chop.edu/parents.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thanks, Lauren. Happy to have these links up here as I love the CHOP VEC site. But better would be a key point you think we can share. When you put up links will you also share some insight — ie what truths do you think you work hardest to get across in regards to flu shots? What have you learned at VEC?? Thanks!
race robinson says
My 5 year old niece die from the flu on 2/12/13, her name was Mayla-Rae she lived in washington DC, she did not have a flu shot. I am TRULY HEARTBROKEN, I wish I could change places with her, If there is a God he/she will not give me an answer to why my niece had to die…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR CHILDREN A FLU SHOT, there is nothing worst than losing a child.
racerobinson@yahoo.com
Joe Ochs says
My 9 year old son Elijah had contracted the Influenza B virus. For two weeks his mother repeatedly took him to the doctor and the E.R. Each visit was the same with them saying he still had the flu and he was dehydrated. They would then give him saline solution and send him home with his mom. On the night of March 18th 2013 he collapsed and passed away. After almost two months the Medical Examiner informed us that the Influenza B virus had attacked the lining of his heart. If only my son would have been given a diuretic and an antibiotic he would still be here with us. The flue virus was already out of his system when he passed yet the damage was done. My beautiful boy is gone from us because the doctors involved in his care did not screen him for the problems the flu can cause. I was told heart failure mimics’ the symptoms of myocarditis, however this should not matter if they would have listened to his heart and tested him for the flu virus with a throat or nasal swab they would have known. Please get your child vaccinated and to the Doctors please test for the flu and not depend solely on the symptoms.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thank you, Joe, for sharing your story. I am so sorry you lost your son to Influenza and I’m so thankful for your bravery in sharing your loss. Stories like yours are exceptionally instructive and memorable for us all — parents, communities, physicians, caregivers, and advocates for public health.