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Myth that vaccine causes influenza debunked
By Kathy Crawford
Just do it in your sleeve.
That’s the “proper” way to sneeze or cough, according to a humorous video, which was part of a presentation on Oct. 1 at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital-Smithville Campus. Dr. Ximena Somoza, who is the Emergency Preparedness/Epidemiology Programs manager at the Clay County Public Health Center, spoke about influenza.
She said that in addition to coughing etiquette, people should stay home from work when sick, practice proper hand washing and receive a flu vaccination.
As fascinating as the human body is, it’s a little naïve about some things, including influenza viruses. A vaccine is about 98 percent effective, but annual boosters are essential, Somoza said.
“I got the flu shot (one year) and no one else did in my home,” said Candice Simpson, who does flu drills for the staff and volunteers at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospitals. “My husband and son both got the flu. I will be there to get (my vaccination) this year.”
Yet, many people are still hesitant about receiving a flu shot. Somoza said that is due to misinformation about vaccines.
“The vaccine does not give you the flu,” she said.
That’s because the virus in the vaccine has a decreased potency due to several processes it goes through before people receive the inoculation. However, it takes two weeks for the immune system to build up after getting a vaccination, so some people become sick within that timeframe. That fact has added to the misconception that the vaccine causes some people to get the flu.
In reality, vaccinations can reduce the severity of symptoms for people who become infected, as well as the mortality rate associated with influenza, Somoza said.
Although flu cases really start picking up in February, people without an allergy to the vaccines can start receiving them in September. Somoza recommends that children older than 6 months of age receive their vaccination in September or October. A new recommendation that children up to 8 years old should receive two doses within one month is in place, she said.
“I’m a fan of vaccines,” Somoza said. “Vaccinate your kids. They are walking petri dishes. Their social network is very big.”
Also, pregnant women can get a vaccination, and that protection will pass to the baby. Monica McCall, nursing house supervisor at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital-Smithville Campus, is pregnant and said she would definitely get vaccinated.
Preservative-free vaccines are available. Anyone with questions about flu vaccinations should call their doctor or contact the Clay County Public Health Center at 595-4355.
County Health FLU SHOT CLINICS
The following list of flu clinics in the Northland provided by the Clay County Public Health Center. For more information, call 595-4355.
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
- 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Good Samaritan Center in Excelsior Springs
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Bethel Church of Christ, Kansas City
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Metro North Mall
- 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Kearney First United Methodist Church
Red Cross flu vaccinations
The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City is ready for the upcoming flu season. The metro-wide flu vaccination program will run Wednesday, Oct. 1, through the end of November.
A written physician’s order and parental consent is required for anyone 16 to17 years of age. The flu vaccination can not be administered to children younger than 16 years of age.
For more information, call 931-8400 or visit www.kcredcross.org.
- Friday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, Antioch Branch Library, 6060 N. Chestnut Ave., Gladstone, 454-1306
- Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Worth Harley Davidson Shop, 6609 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, 420-9000
- Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon to 1:30 p.m., Shepherd’s Center of the Northland, 4805 N.E. Antioch Road, Suite 9, Kansas City, 580-7455
- Thursday, Oct. 23, 2 to 4 p.m., Claycomo Branch Library, 309 E. U.S. Highway 69, Claycomo, 455-5030
- Monday, Oct. 27, 2 to 4 p.m., North Oak Branch Library, 8700 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City
436-4385
Staff writer Kathy Crawford can be reached at 532-4444 or kathycrawford@npgco.com.
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That’s the “proper” way to sneeze or cough, according to a humorous video, which was part of a presentation on Oct. 1 at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital-Smithville Campus. Dr. Ximena Somoza, who is the Emergency Preparedness/Epidemiology Programs manager at the Clay County Public Health Center, spoke about influenza.
She said that in addition to coughing etiquette, people should stay home from work when sick, practice proper hand washing and receive a flu vaccination.
As fascinating as the human body is, it’s a little naïve about some things, including influenza viruses. A vaccine is about 98 percent effective, but annual boosters are essential, Somoza said.
“I got the flu shot (one year) and no one else did in my home,” said Candice Simpson, who does flu drills for the staff and volunteers at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospitals. “My husband and son both got the flu. I will be there to get (my vaccination) this year.”
Yet, many people are still hesitant about receiving a flu shot. Somoza said that is due to misinformation about vaccines.
“The vaccine does not give you the flu,” she said.
That’s because the virus in the vaccine has a decreased potency due to several processes it goes through before people receive the inoculation. However, it takes two weeks for the immune system to build up after getting a vaccination, so some people become sick within that timeframe. That fact has added to the misconception that the vaccine causes some people to get the flu.
In reality, vaccinations can reduce the severity of symptoms for people who become infected, as well as the mortality rate associated with influenza, Somoza said.
Although flu cases really start picking up in February, people without an allergy to the vaccines can start receiving them in September. Somoza recommends that children older than 6 months of age receive their vaccination in September or October. A new recommendation that children up to 8 years old should receive two doses within one month is in place, she said.
“I’m a fan of vaccines,” Somoza said. “Vaccinate your kids. They are walking petri dishes. Their social network is very big.”
Also, pregnant women can get a vaccination, and that protection will pass to the baby. Monica McCall, nursing house supervisor at Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital-Smithville Campus, is pregnant and said she would definitely get vaccinated.
Preservative-free vaccines are available. Anyone with questions about flu vaccinations should call their doctor or contact the Clay County Public Health Center at 595-4355.
County Health FLU SHOT CLINICS
The following list of flu clinics in the Northland provided by the Clay County Public Health Center. For more information, call 595-4355.
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
- 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Good Samaritan Center in Excelsior Springs
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Bethel Church of Christ, Kansas City
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Clay County Public Health Center
- 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Metro North Mall
- 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Kearney First United Methodist Church
Red Cross flu vaccinations
The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City is ready for the upcoming flu season. The metro-wide flu vaccination program will run Wednesday, Oct. 1, through the end of November.
A written physician’s order and parental consent is required for anyone 16 to17 years of age. The flu vaccination can not be administered to children younger than 16 years of age.
For more information, call 931-8400 or visit www.kcredcross.org.
- Friday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, Antioch Branch Library, 6060 N. Chestnut Ave., Gladstone, 454-1306
- Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Worth Harley Davidson Shop, 6609 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, 420-9000
- Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon to 1:30 p.m., Shepherd’s Center of the Northland, 4805 N.E. Antioch Road, Suite 9, Kansas City, 580-7455
- Thursday, Oct. 23, 2 to 4 p.m., Claycomo Branch Library, 309 E. U.S. Highway 69, Claycomo, 455-5030
- Monday, Oct. 27, 2 to 4 p.m., North Oak Branch Library, 8700 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City
436-4385
Staff writer Kathy Crawford can be reached at 532-4444 or kathycrawford@npgco.com.
Comments on "Myth that vaccine causes influenza debunked"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Momof4 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:15 PM:
" I see you're moderating your comments so I don't expect to see mine show up since it corrects your information. Propaganda I guess. "
Momof4 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:14 PM:
" Your information is misleading. The flu shot is only about 40-45% effective in any given year, NOT 98% as you lead readers to believe by the way you word your article.
Kathy, Do YOU get a flu shot every year? "
Kathy, Do YOU get a flu shot every year? "