Flu shots: are they really important?

By Suraj Sasi

Experts emphasize the importance of the seasonal vaccine, but some people do not feel the need to get them.

Stacy Manzerolle, program manager at Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said Influenza can affect anyone and  spread quickly and easily through coughing, sneezing or talking to someone up close.

“Sometimes people can spread it even before they know they are sick,” said Manzerolle. “It is really important for people to get vaccinated and be protected against the strains prevalent in the community and reduce that risk of spreading it to their co-workers or their families or just out in the public.”

Seasonal influenza remains a serious health concern, especially for seniors over the age of 65 because they have a weaker immune system. Immunosenescence is a natural phenomenon of aging, characterized as a progressive weakening of the immune system over time.

“People who are old and over the age of 65, pregnant women, very young children —those are the people that are the greatest risk for complications related to flu,” said Manzerolle.

She also said the flu can lead to serious respiratory illnesses and people should be worried in a close setting such as workplaces, schools and in the home as it can spread easily.

“ Without having the added protection of vaccine you are putting yourself at risk but also those around you,” said Manzerolle.

“If you care about young children or older parents or if you are a healthcare worker and working in a setting where there are people with weakened immune systems or even in a school setting then those are things to be concerned about in terms of being able to pass on the flu if you are not protected.”

Erika Vitale, 40, manager of infection and prevention control at Windsor Regional Hospital said an international team of experts determine which strains of influenza to include in the annual vaccine.

“Because the influenza virus changes and can evolve rapidly in February of each year the WHO gets together and has a meeting and makes prediction of what strains would circulate more in the upcoming year based on what was circulating in the previous year,” said Vitale.

“You might have a sore arm but the benefit is it just increases your immunity. So, even if the vaccine is not a  perfect match with the strain that is circulating, they still find that it prevents your chances of getting into the  hospital or getting admitted to the ICU and it prevents the chances of dying from the flu,” said Vitale.

The flu vaccine will be available free of charge from  family doctors, nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics and participating pharmacies to anybody older than five years old. The Health Unit is having a public flu clinic  Nov.13 at the University of Windsor and a health card is not required.