With the advent of flu season, pharmacists and physicians alike encourage getting vaccinated.
“This year the (CVS) pharmacy has already given 82 shots, including the 28 within the past week. There have already been 16 reported cases of the flu in Oxford this semester,” said Kate Mislan, CVS pharmacy intern.
A common myth concerning flu shots is that getting the vaccination can actually cause the flu, but CVS pharmacy technician Natasha Mountjoy said this is not the case.
“Flu shot vaccines do not cause the flu because it contains killed viruses, also called inactivated vaccines,” Mountjoy said. “The flu-like symptoms that occur are your body sending off signals reacting to the vaccine.”
Mild side effects from the flu shot are fever, aches, headaches, itching, fatigue and soreness or redness where the shot was given.
“We highly recommend the flu shot,” Mountjoy said. “Especially with the epidemic last flu season.”
University of Mississippi Student Health Center Director Travis Yates agreed that most people have heard false statements about the vaccine.
“People might insist they got the flu after the flu shot, but from what researchers have found, it is not possible,” Yates said. “The shot takes a minimum of two weeks to become effective, and protection lasts up to several months to a year.”
Reports on the Centers fo r Disease Control and Prevention website show that a new, quadrivalent vaccine was created for the 2013-2014 flu season and protects against four strains of the virus.
However, this category of immunization is not available at the Student Health Center ordinarily.
“We use the regular vaccine, but if a student needs the quadrivalent we will order it,” Yates said.
“The nasal spray vaccine uses a live virus, but it’s weakened. It is targeted to patients 2 years old up to 50 years old. It doesn’t give you the flu, but some patients get a sore throat for a day.”
In the Vaccine Information Statement, listed possible side effects with the nasal spray include runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches and fever, among others.
In addition to a nasal mist, there are multiple options to receive the immunization through an injection.
“For those who can’t get the nasal spray and are not fond of needle sticks, there’s a micro-needle that delivers the same protection in a shallower shot called an intradermal needle,” Mountjoy said. “The needle is 90 percent shorter than the regular needle; it is only injected into the second layer of skin.”
