People who SHOULD NOT get the flu shot:
People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients. See Special Considerations Regarding Egg Allergy for more information about egg allergies and flu vaccine.Myth #19: The flu vaccine can cause neurological disorders. Fact: Neurological side effects linked to flu vaccination are extremely rare (see Myth #18); children with neurological disorders are actually at the highest risk for flu complications.
Aluminum Salts
Because they boost the body's response, this means that the vaccine can contain smaller amounts of the virus. Similar to formaldehyde, and to most ingredients in the flu shot, the amount of aluminum present in the vaccine is extremely small.Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer's. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer's.
Usually, these side effects are minor — a low-grade fever, fussiness and soreness at the injection site. Some vaccines cause a temporary headache, fatigue or loss of appetite. Rarely, a child might experience a severe allergic reaction or a neurological side effect, such as a seizure.
The flu vaccine is needed every year for two reasons. The first is that your body's immune response to influenza decreases over time. Receiving the vaccine every year helps you have continued protection. The second reason is that the influenza virus is constantly changing.
During the 2018–19 influenza season, in which influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses cocirculated, interim VE was estimated to be 29% against illnesses associated with any influenza virus (8) and vaccination was estimated to prevent 4.4 million illnesses, 2.3 million medical visits, 58,000 hospitalizations, and
Most flu vaccines in the United States protect against four different flu viruses (“quadrivalent”); an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses. Two of the trivalent vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older to create a stronger immune response.
Like many vaccines, a flu shot does contain the virus that it is preventing. That's where formaldehyde comes in, to deactivate the virus and prevent the toxins from causing illness. In large doses, formaldehyde is toxic and deadly.
Thimerosal was removed from all childhood vaccines in 2001 with the exception of inactivated flu vaccine in multi-dose vials.
Some people report having mild reactions to flu vaccination. The most common side effects from flu shots are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.
While it's possible to get sick with the flu even after getting a flu shot, you can not get a flu infection from a flu vaccine. Some people may feel ill or have a reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, but this reaction is not a case of the flu.
Not all influenza vaccines contain formaldehyde, but some preparations contain amounts between < 0.005 – 0.1 mg.
According to a Feb. 21 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the current influenza vaccine has been 45% effective overall against 2019-2020 seasonal influenza A and B viruses. Specifically, the flu vaccine has been 50% effective against influenza B/Victoria viruses and 37% effective against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.
How long does immunity from influenza vaccine last? Protection from influenza vaccine is thought to persist for at least 6 months. Protection declines over time because of waning antibody levels and because of changes in circulating influenza viruses from year to year.
Most single-dose vials and pre-filled syringes of flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine do not contain a preservative because they are intended to be used once. A list of available flu vaccines and their thimerosal content is available.
This process works as follows: a person infected with a flu virus develops antibodies against that virus; as the virus changes, the "older" antibodies no longer recognizes the "newer" virus, and the person gets sick. The older antibodies can, however, provide partial protection against newer viruses.
21 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,() the current influenza vaccine has been 45% effective overall against 2019-2020 seasonal influenza A and B viruses. "While we would all want an even more effective vaccine, it remains the best way we have to prevent flu and its complications."
Also, vaccines do not make a child sick with the disease, and they do not weaken the immune system. Vaccines introduce a killed/disabled antigen into the body so the immune system can produce antibodies against it and create immunity to the disease.
Thimerosal is an organomercurial compound and derivative of thiosalicyclic acid with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has a role as a disinfectant, an antifungal drug, an antiseptic drug and a drug allergen.
Flu vaccines in multi-dose vials contain thimerosal to safeguard against contamination of the vial. Most single-dose vials and pre-filled syringes of flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine do not contain a preservative because they are intended to be used once.
Mercury is a metal found naturally in the environment. Why is thimerosal used in some vaccines? Because it prevents the growth of dangerous microbes, thimerosal is used as a preservative in multi-dose vials of flu vaccines, and in two other childhood vaccines, it is used in the manufacturing process.
The human body eliminates thimerosal easily.
Thimerosal does not stay in the body a long time so it does not build up and reach harmful levels. When thimerosal enters the body, it breaks down to ethylmercury and thiosalicylate, which are readily eliminated.Thimerosal. Thimerosal is a mercuric derivative of thiosalicylic acid used as a preservative in vaccines, cosmetics, tattoo inks, eye drops and contact lens solutions as well as a disinfectant (e.g. merthiolate).
Thimerosal is a preservative used in multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine to keep them free from contamination and contains an organic form of mercury called ethyl mercury.
