By Edward Pullen, MD. Check out his health blog for the informed patient, DrPullen.com.

I really don’t like the term “flu” or “flu shot” because the term flu should not be used interchangeably with “viral illness.” Actually, influenza is a specific, often very severe and even deadly viral illness, and influenza vaccine is a very specific vaccine. Still, the term flu shot is so integral to our everyday language that I’ll use the term for this purpose and encourage all of you to GET YOUR FLU SHOT. I hear excuses every day during the fall and early winter when I offer influenza vaccine to my patients. Here are some of the most common excuses I hear, and my explanations of the folly in each line of reasoning.

1. “I never get the flu. I don’t need a flu shot.” – Most people only get influenza once every several years. It is not unusual for any given individual to go 10-15 years without contacting influenza. However, influenza is a severe illness much of the time and it is worth getting a flu shot every year to prevent even one case of influenza every 10-20 years.
2. “The last time I got a flu shot, it gave me the flu.” – This is just not true. Since the influenza vaccine contains a killed virus, it is not possible for it to cause the flu. During the season when we give flu shots, minor illnesses are common. It is not unusual to become ill during the time shortly after getting a flu shot. Also, a small percentage of people who get a flu shot may have some minor aching, low grade fever or malaise. This is not even close to the severity of the symptoms caused by a real case of influenza, and is no reason not to get a flu shot.
3. “I just don’t like shots,” or “I hate needles,” or “Shots hurt.” – Nobody likes getting shots, or being stuck with a needle. The benefits of influenza vaccine, both for yourself and for those you care about are important enough to suffer through an injection. Just get it over with.
4. “I heard the flu shot this year is just the same as last year so I don’t need another shot.” – It is true that in 2011 the components of the influenza vaccine are the same as they were in 2010. This means that no new influenza viruses have been discovered and are lurking and ready to cause a severe influenza pandemic. Getting a second vaccine will be the equivalent of a booster shot, making you even more immune to the most common strains of influenza. Even if you received this same vaccine last year, the remaining immunization from last year’s flu vaccine is not adequate to provide immunity sufficient to prevent contacting influenza this year.
5. “I’m healthy and if I get the flu I won’t get all that sick.” — I’m happy that you are a healthy person who takes good care of yourself. Now get a flu shot and stay healthy, because influenza can be very severe or even lethal for even the strongest and healthiest of us. In addition, if you catch influenza you will be putting others at risk. This is especially true if you are around the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, or persons with chronic disease. Respect yourself and those around you and get a flu shot.
6. “I want to leave my immune system alone so I will develop good immunity naturally.” –There is no evidence to suggest that getting an influenza vaccination reduces your immunity against other germs. It simply provides antibodies against certain strains of influenza A and B. This immunity likely is increased by annual flu shots, so that by getting a flu shot annually, you develop better influenza immunity each year.

To get your flu vaccine at SFM, just drop in at any of the following locations:

Hartland 3908 10th St SE, Puyallup from 7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
Bonney Lake 10004 204^th Ave E, Bonney Lake from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Sunrise 11216 Sunrise Blvd E, Puyallup from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

We expect that we will have an adequate supply of flu vaccine for all of our patients who need it. However, we suggest that you come in early so that you will be protected for the whole flu season.

Come on in and protect yourself and your family, today!