Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some popular myths.

The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …

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Flu: Nearly 4 in 10 Vaccinated Will Still Get It if Exposed to Virus

This year's vaccine is categorized as only moderately effective. Have you or will you get a flu shot? The flu season peaks in January and February.

Think getting a flu shot will provide complete protection against the flu? Think again. During a Jan. 11 press briefing, Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this year's influenza vaccine has an overall effectiveness of 62 percent. "That means that if you got vaccinated, you were about 60 percent less likely to get the flu that required you to go to your doctor," Frieden said, according to a transcript of the briefing. "So what we have known for a long time is that the flu vaccine is far from perfect. But it's still by far the best tool we have to prevent the flu," he added. At 62 percent effectiveness, nearly four in 10 people who have been vaccinated will still get the flu if exposed to the …

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Is It Too Late to Get a Flu Shot?

CDC reports flu is widespread and continuing to increase.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the flu is now widespread and the number of cases are continuing to increase. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee. Breese advises it is not too late to get a flu shot. “Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now,” Bresee said in a released statement. “And it’s important to remember that people who have severe influenza illness, or who are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications, should get treated with influenza antiviral medications if they get flu symptoms regardless of whether or not they got vaccinated. Also, you don’t need to wait for a …

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Seasonal Flu Picking Up in Georgia, Across Nation

Experts say everyone should get a flu vaccination. Find out how and where you can get a flu shot around Smyrna and Vinings.

Twenty-nine states, including Georgia, are now reporting high incidents of influenza-like illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The information is for the week ending Dec. 29. The flu season normally peaks in January and February, still experts say the recent reports are higher than normal. "Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” said Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in the CDC’s Influenza Division, in a CDC press release. "Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now." In addition, the CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccinations and antiviral treatments when appropriate. If you're …

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CDC: Get Your Flu Shot Now

Did you get your flu shot yet?

Area Flu Shot Locations

With winter weather here, a flu shot today can prevent a lot of aches and pains tomorrow.

Yes, the 2009 global scare of H1N1 has passed, but the flu can still put a major cramp on the holidays and beyond. "I haven't gotten my flu shot yet, but I intend to over the next few days before winter really sets in," said Smyrna resident Alan Beard. "I try to get them every year, I don't like being sick if I don't have to be." Over the course of the last three decades according to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been between 3,000 and 49,000 flu-related deaths each year in the United States. The number of deaths varies each year because flu seasons are so unpredictable. "People tend to wait until they are feeling sick before coming in to see us," noted Lisa Shedrix, office manager for immunization at Smyrna Community Health …

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