FLU VACCINE MYTHS & FACTS. Get the facts to keep you and your loved ones flu-free. Sponsored by:

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1 FLU VACCINE MYTHS & FACTS Get the facts to keep you and your loved ones flu-free. Sponsored by:

2 The flu isn t that serious... Many people are unaware that influenza, the flu, is a serious disease. According to the CDC, each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, with approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths. 2 Flu symptoms, which include fever, headaches, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, extreme tiredness and body aches, can disrupt your work, school and social life for up to two weeks. 3 I don t need a flu shot because... Many people avoid getting a flu shot because misinformation steers them away The flu is highly contagious and can easily be passed from a low-risk individual to a high-risk individual, which can then lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and worsening of chronic conditions. 3 from this important annual preventive vaccine. Considering up to 20 percent of I got the vaccine and still got the flu so it must not be effective the population contracts influenza (flu) every year, getting a flu shot makes good health sense. 1 The vaccine prevents the flu in approximately 70 to 90 percent of healthy people under the age of 65. The effectiveness of the vaccine is subject to variables such as age and health status, as well as the match between virus strains in the vaccine and virus strains in circulation. 5

3 If I get the vaccine, it might give me the flu... A flu vaccination will not give you the flu. This is one of the biggest myths surrounding a flu shot. The virus in injectable influenza vaccine has been inactivated, making it biologically unable to cause illness. 4 I never get the flu How can I help prevent the flu? Influenza strains change every year, which means that even if you had a natural immunity to previous strains, your immunity may not protect you from each year s new circulating strains. 6 Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by flu viruses, and it can cause mild to severe illness. At times it can lead to death. The simple fact is that the best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year to protect yourself and those you love. I ll take my chances Unfortunately, getting the flu means also becoming a carrier. Since the flu is highly contagious, with symptoms starting one to four days after the virus enters the body, even the most conscientious individuals may unknowingly spread the virus. 7

4 The flu vaccine is only necessary for the old and very young... The flu vaccine is for anyone who doesn t want to be sick with the flu, or inadvertently spread the virus to others if they become infected. CDC recommends these groups be Who should be vaccinated? Anyone who doesn t want to be sick with the flu, or spread the virus to others, should get a flu shot every year. vaccinated each year: 2 + Children aged 6 months up to their 19 th birthday + Pregnant women + People 50 years of age and older + People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions + People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities + People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications I got a vaccine last year so I don t need one this year... from flu, including: Healthcare workers Because influenza strains change each year, you can not count on last year s vaccine to protect you this year. 6 Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu Household contacts and out-ofhome caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these I m too late... children are too young to be vaccinated) While October and November are the recommended months for vaccination, getting a flu shot later in the season (December March) can still protect you The flu is preventable. Be sure to get vaccinated to keep you and your loved ones flu-free! as flu season often peaks after January. 2

5 FLU VACCINE MYTHS & FACTS H1N1 (Swine) Flu Myths & Facts, as well as up-to-date pandemic preparedness information, are available at VaxAmerica is a program of FFF Enterprises, the nation s largest and most trusted distributor of flu vaccine. References 1 Influenza: The Disease 2 Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu) 3 Influenza Symptoms 4 Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine 5 Questions & Answers: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness 6 How The Flu Virus Can Change 7 Seasonal Flu: How Flu Spreads FFF Enterprises, Inc. BR (800) Fax (800)