Flu Vaccine:
What Can You Do If You Can't Get The Shot?

The flu vaccine is made up of inactivated or killed flu viral strains. The flu vaccine strains are developed and harvested in chicken eggs and then purified and tested. Protection from the flu virus begins about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine. Flu shot side effects are minimal and the flu vaccine is an effective means for flu prevention. The flu vaccine can prevent the flu in 70-90% of healthy young adults but only 30-40% of the elderly.

The 2004 flu vaccine shortage has left many susceptible to the flu virus. The government, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working hard to distribute the flu vaccine throughout the country over the next 6-8 weeks. As of right now, there are people who are on the priority list (children 6-23 months, those with chronic diseases, those with asthma, and the elderly-65+) that cannot get their 2004 flu vaccine. The peak of the flu season starts in November and many may not be able to get their flu vaccine until December.

The 2004 flu vaccines still contain a form of mercury, thimerosal, to act as a preservative. Here is a statement from the CDC regarding the use of thimerosal in flu vaccines, "Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines and other products since the 1930's. No harmful effects have been reported from thimerosal at doses used in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. However, in July 1999, the Public Health Service (PHS) agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure."

Since there are shortages of the 2004 flu vaccine, since flu vaccines are not for everyone, since there may be flu shot side effects, as with any type of medication, and since strains of the flu virus do not always match up to the strains in the flu vaccine it is wise to exercise other options for flu prevention in addition to or in place of the flu vaccine.