Flu Shot Disadvantages
Many doctors and medical experts recommend that individuals over six months of age receive the flu vaccine annually to reduce the risk of contracting the flu virus. Flu shots normally begin appearing at doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies beginning in September and extending through the winter months. While the vaccine can help prevent the spread of the flu, there are risks and disadvantages to receiving the vaccine.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Short Protection Period
The flu shot must be received each year to provide individuals with protection against the virus. Michael Evans, M.D., of the Canadian Family Physician, explains that the flu vaccine only provides protection against the flu virus for four to six months, or long enough to get through an average flu season 1. Additionally, the shot does not provide the recipient with immediate protection. The vaccine takes approximately two weeks to take effect, leaving the individual exposed in the meantime.
- The flu shot must be received each year to provide individuals with protection against the virus.
- Michael Evans, M.D., of the Canadian Family Physician, explains that the flu vaccine only provides protection against the flu virus for four to six months, or long enough to get through an average flu season 1.
Individuals Unable to Receive the Vaccine
Flu-Like Symptoms After a Flu Shot
Learn More
The flu vaccine isn’t for everyone. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains that infants younger than six months of age are not approved to receive the vaccine. Anyone with an allergy to eggs also cannot receive the vaccine because it is developed and grown on eggs and could cause a serious reaction if injected into an allergic individual. Patients who are sick with any sort of illness that is accompanied with a fever cannot receive the vaccine until they have fully recovered.
- The flu vaccine isn’t for everyone.
- Anyone with an allergy to eggs also cannot receive the vaccine because it is developed and grown on eggs and could cause a serious reaction if injected into an allergic individual.
Adverse Reactions and Side Effects
Adverse reactions and side effects may occur in some individuals who receive the flu shot. Adverse reactions may include symptoms as simple as an allergic reaction or, in the case of Desiree Jennings of Ashburn, Virginia, permanent neurological damage may be possible, as noted by WTSP.com. These types of adverse reactions are extremely rare. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a reaction affecting the nervous system that can occur after receiving a vaccination, though it only occurs in 1 in 100,000 people.
Side effects common with the flu shot include localized soreness at the injection site, low grade fever and body aches, explains the CDC. The flu shot is made of an inactive or dead virus, therefore contracting the flu from the flu shot is not possible.
- Adverse reactions and side effects may occur in some individuals who receive the flu shot.
- Side effects common with the flu shot include localized soreness at the injection site, low grade fever and body aches, explains the CDC.
Related Articles
References
- Canadian Family Physician: Flu Shot
- CDC: Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- WTSP.com: Doctors back woman’s claim of adverse reaction to flu vaccine
- Andersen DV et al. MMR vaccination of children with egg allergy is safe. Danish Medical Journal. 2013 Feb;60(2):A4573. doi:10.2165/00128413-199007240-00032
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 8/15/2019
- Cerecedo Carballo I et al. Safety of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) in patients allergic to eggs. Allergologia et Immunopathologia (Madrid). 2007 May-Jun;35(3):105-9. PMID:17594874
- NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel, Boyce JA, Assa'ad A, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;126(6 Suppl):S1–S58. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.007
- James JM et al. Safe administration of the measles vaccine to children allergic to eggs. New England Journal of Medicine. 1995 May 11;332(19):1262-6.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who needs a flu vaccine and when. Updated October 11, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key facts about flu vaccines. Updated December 2, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Misconceptions about flu vaccines. Updated September 25, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Selecting viruses for the seasonal influenza vaccine. Updated September 4, 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (flu). How well flu vaccines work. Updated January 3, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People 65 years and older and influenza. Updated November 21, 2019.
Writer Bio
Amber Canaan has a medical background as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and pediatric oncology. She began her writing career in 2005, focusing on pregnancy and health. Canaan has a degree in science from the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and owns her own wellness consulting business.