Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Each year there are thousands of reminders -- get a flu shot. But how much good do these shots really do? And who should definitely get, and who could ignore, the warnings?
Dr. Mulvihill takes a look.
Judy Condra says it's that time of year again, time to get a flu shot. She knows it's the best way to lower her risk of getting the flu.
Dr. Stephanie Gelman of the University of Utah says, "We encourage everyone who doesn't want to get the flu to get a flu shot. However, there are certain groups of people that we strongly recommend that they receive the flu vaccine."
Such as:
- People Over 50
- Immunosuppressed
- Chronic Heart, Kidney or Lung Condition
- Pregnant Women in 2nd or 3rd Trimester
- Nursing Home Residents
- Health Care Workers
But Dr. Gelman says the influenza vaccine is only one of a number of immunizations available for adults. That's right, vaccinations aren't just for kids."When we ask them, 'Are you up to date on your immunizations?' they always say, 'Yeah, I had all my immunizations when I was a child. I don't need anything else,'" Dr. Gelman says.
But you might. And to help doctors keep their patients up-to-date, the CDC has published a recommended adult immunization schedule with color-coded bars telling who needs what and when. Like getting a tetanus booster every 10 years. There's even a table for high risk patients, who have medical conditions like kidney failure, diabetes or pregnancy.
"Well, it's important that doctors do review the patient's immunization history and look for risk factors that would make these patients at higher risk for certain diseases that are vaccine preventable," Dr. Gelman says.
As for Judy, who is 61 years old and in good health, she only needs her flu shot.
