Flu facts and tips

Influenza flu

• H1N1 has regressed from epidemic status to become just part of seasonal flu
• Seasonal flu shots are still recommended, as another 35,000-45,000 deaths are expected this year from flu.
• The flu shot is exceedingly safe, even for egg-allergic patients. Reviews of vaccine safety by the Institute of Medicine show that except for the 1976 swine flu vaccine, the current flu vaccines have exhibited no detectable adverse events
• The flu shot does not cause flu. A double blinded study showed that in the two weeks following a flu shot vs. a saline shot, subjects had the same rate of getting flu. After two weeks, the flu shot subjects had the advantage of protection against most strains of flu. Those who received only saline needed to get a flu shot and wait an ADDITIONAL two weeks to get protected.