FitSugar

Flu Shot Reportedly Not That Effective: Will You Still Get One?

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:33:37 PDT

Every year my doctor recommends getting a flu shot, and I obey to avoid the weeklong body-aching, head-fogging, feverishness of the flu. If you haven't gotten around to getting your flu shot yet, new research might change your mind. Data from 31 studies points to the fact that flu vaccines don't work as well as previously thought. For adults ranging in age from 18 to 65, the shot is only 59 percent effective. This news is rather depressing, but experts still say a flu vaccine is your best bet at protection against influenza.

Source: Flickr User USACE Europe District

Are You Up to Date on All Your Shots? What You Need to Know

Leta Shy — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:20:01 PST

While February is the month when most people get the flu, hopefully you've already gotten your annual flu shot. But what about the rest of the lesser-known recommended vaccines for adults?

Recently I was surprised when during a routine appointment my doctor told me that because of a recent whooping cough outbreak I should get a Tdap shot, which also contains the booster doses for tetanus and diphtheria. I never think about nonflu vaccines very much, so I probably wouldn't have known that people my age needed one if she hadn't said anything.

I'm sure many of you are the same. In fact, adult vaccinations are so much lower than they should be that a recent CDC study found that most clinics don't even stock all the required vaccines for adults. But, actually, the CDC recommends that we get certain vaccinations long after we turn 18.

Want to know which vaccines you may need to get? Read on to see if you're up to date on your shots.

Universal Flu Vaccine on the Horizon?

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:45:35 PST

A little cold I can handle, even a sinus infection, but the flu? I don't remember ever feeling as bad as I did the week I came down with the flu. I was so delirious from my 103° fever, and combined with the chills, body aches, and pounding headache, it was just unbearable. To prevent feeling that horrible every year, I make sure to head to my doctor's office for a flu shot, but it doesn't always work since it doesn't protect against all strains. So when I read that UK researchers may have created a universal flu shot, I became quite hopeful.

This vaccine is different from current flu vaccines because it targets the proteins inside the flu virus rather than the proteins on the external coat. These interior proteins are similar across all strains of the flu and less likely to mutate, so this one vaccine could be used to prevent all types of flu. Another difference is that this new treatment helps boost the production of T-cells which can identify, attack, and kill infected cells. So it's much more effective than today's vaccine that just stimulates the body to produce antibodies to fight the flu. If this new vaccine is successful, it could prevent future nasty outbreaks like the swine flu and H1N1.

I don't know about you, but it'd be a huge relief during cold and flu season to get one shot and know I'd never have to suffer in bed surrounded by snotty tissues again.

Is It Appropriate For Family to Ask Nanny to Get Vaccinated?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:00:59 PDT

Nobody likes to take a sick day if they can avoid it. Seventy-nine percent of LilSugar readers said the duty falls on mama when a caregiver has to cancel. Some families take precautions by encouraging (and even paying for) their nannies to get vaccinated. Pharmacies now sell flu shot gift cards. Would you purchase one?

It's Flu Season! What Do You Know About the 2010 Vaccine?

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:00:33 PDT

Get ready for a big pinch! Flu season is upon us, and while the virus isn't grabbing headlines like last year, it is still a popular topic among moms. Each year an average 20,000 tots are hospitalized due to influenza complications. Before seeking out your lil one's vaccination, take this quiz to see how much you know about the seasonal influenza vaccine.

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Will You Be Getting a Flu Shot?

Susi May — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:30:06 PDT

I didn't need Dr. Oz or Mia Hamm to tell me to get a flu shot. I live with two school-age germ factories, and for the past three years, the whole family has gotten vaccinated against the flu. You can get a flu shot at your physician's office, at most Target stores with pharmacies, or many drugstores. So tell me . . .

Get Your Shots, It's National Immunization Awareness Month

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:00:40 PDT

I dislike needles with a strong passion - I've even fainted before having blood drawn. But even though needles freak me out, I make sure that I am always up to date with my immunizations. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and if you don't know where you stand with vaccinations like tetanus, HPV, or Hepatitis B, now is the time to check.

The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month is pretty self-explanatory. Use this month to encourage your family members and friends to make sure all of their immunizations are current. And, of course, don't forget about yourself! Many vaccines are key in protecting ourselves against highly infectious illnesses like the measles, flu, or chickenpox. Left unchecked, many of these infectious diseases can result in death.

If you're not sure what shots you may be due for, make an appointment with your doc, or check out this vaccinations for adult schedule.

Have You Had Luck Getting a Swine Flu Shot?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:12 PST

I don't have to read about the shortage of swine flu vaccine, I'm living it. Everywhere I go to get vaccinated it's the same - there are not enough shots to go around. Supplies are extremely limited, and a recent poll conducted by Harvard University School of Public Health says that 70 percent of adults and 66 percent of children who tried to get vaccinated couldn’t.

On Friday the National Center For Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the high demand is outweighing the supply, but that more doses would be available in the coming weeks. I've heard this every week and no matter where I go, I leave without getting a shot. I'm starting to get frustrated but I want to protect myself.

Have any of you had better luck than I have?

Did You Get a Flu Shot?

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:30:00 PST

We're in the heart of Winter and about half of you have managed to remain healthy this season. Props to your immune systems for protecting you from getting sick, and hopefully you can keep up the health streak as the height of flu season approaches. Typically, flu season doesn't peak until February, so there's still time to get your flu shot if you've been putting it off.

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Do You Know Your Flu Facts?

babysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:00:30 PDT

In case you haven't heard, flu season is upon us. Each year, approximately one in 100 tots are hospitalized for the flu and between 75 and 150 children succumb to it. Unlike last year, the Centers for Disease Control says that this year's vaccine should be more successful than last year's serum. Whether you have gotten your flu shot yet, or not, test your knowledge of influenza here.

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Take the Quiz