July 2007

Contemplating getting the flu vaccine to avoid sniffles this winter? And, does it actually work?

Yes. The vaccine works. It can – and does – prevent illness. Maybe you heard about recent studies that found the vaccine isn't effective, or that the virus is becoming resistant to vaccines, but the same research found that, in some cases, the vaccine lowered rates of pneumonia and hospitalisation due to flu, says Dr Neil Schachter, author of The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds & Flu. It's most important for health care workers and those at high risk (pregnant women, the elderly, children under the age of two, anyone with health problems) to get vaccinated.

Will the vaccine protect against avian flu? No one knows for sure, say experts, but it may enhance your defences. And you won't get sick after getting the vaccine.

Regardless of what you've heard, there is absolutely no risk of getting flu from the standard flu vaccine, says Dr Aaron Glatt, spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. So if you haven't got your shot yet, do it now. It's not too late.