Do you know any of these folks?
“I’m not anti-vaccine, I just don’t believe in flu shots.”
They likely get all other available vaccines for themselves and their kids, but for some reason, they skip the flu shot each year.
I’m Not Anti-Vaccine, I Just Don’t Believe in Flu Shots
Are they just anti-flu vaccine? Is that a thing?
Why don’t they “believe” in flu shots?
Typical answers you might get, if you ask, include:
- I never get the flu – since about 5 to 20% of people get the flu each year, it is certainly possible that you never get the flu, especially if you aren’t around many other people that could spread the flu virus to you. But unless you live and work in a bubble, there is a good chance that you will eventually be exposed to someone with the flu, might catch the flu yourself, and will spread it to someone else.
- I only get sick when I get a flu shot – flu shots are inactivated and can’t actually give you the flu. Even the live virus nasal mist flu vaccine won’t cause you to have the flu. While flu vaccines can cause mild flu side effects, if you get sick after after a flu shot, it could be that you have another respiratory virus, your flu vaccine didn’t have time to work, or that it wasn’t effective.
- I don’t need a flu shot – you do, if you want to reduce your chances of getting the flu and having serious complications from a flu infection, which can affect anyone.
- I got a flu shot last year – you need a flu vaccine each year
- Flu vaccines don’t work – flu vaccines aren’t perfect, but they can reduce your risk of catching the flu and avoiding serious complications, even if you do get sick.
- Flu shots are too expensive – most insurance plans cover the costs of flu vaccines, but if you don’t have insurance, it is sometimes possible to find free flu shots at a local health clinic, or you could get a flu shot for $24 at Walmart with a GoodRx coupon.
- I don’t have time to get a flu shot – do you have time to get sick with the flu? Many doctors now offer regular flu clinics that make it convenient to just come in and get a flu vaccine or if that isn’t possible, you can likely get a flu vaccine at a nearby pharmacy.
- Someone on the Internet told me to never get a flu shot because they are poison – if you are avoiding a flu vaccine because you are worried about thimerosal, miscarriages, that they contain a vaginal spermicide, or other misinformation, then you likely aren’t just anti-flu vaccine…
- Gloria Copeland told me I didn’t need one – Jesus didn’t give us a flu shot and doesn’t want you to die with the flu, or measles.
Stop making excuses, none of which hold water.
Get your flu vaccine, preferably before flu season starts and you start seeing flu activity in your area.
More on Being Anti-Flu Vaccine
- Flu Facts vs. Fiction – Families Fighting Flu
- The flu vaccine does not cause the flu
- I Gave My Patients Flu Vaccines. You Won’t Believe What Didn’t Happen Next!
- Ask a cardiologist : Flu shots
- Flu Shots: Here We Go Again!
- How to Talk to Reluctant Patients About the Flu Shot
- Why People Don’t Get Vaccinated
- 7 Excuses for Skipping the Flu Shot—Debunked
- 6 reasons patients avoid flu vaccination
- 8 reasons you may be planning to skip your child’s flu vaccine this year (and why you probably shouldn’t)
- Three reasons not to skip your flu shot
- Peter Doshi flu vaccine study – misused by anti-vaxxers
- Flu vaccine study does not show it causes 5.5X more respiratory infections
- Flu vaccine myths – zombie anti-vaccine lies blanket Facebook
- No, the CDC did not just “admit” that this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t work
- Why we vaccinate–debunking flu vaccine myths in 25 easy steps
- New Study Shows Flu Vaccines Save Children’s Lives
- FAQ–The Flu Shot Issue
- 6 Questions Answered About the Flu Shot
- Skipping the flu vaccine? It’s not just about you
- Many Americans Believe They Don’t Need The Flu Vaccine
- Still Not Convinced You Need a Flu Shot? First, It’s Not All About You
- Setting the record straight: Debunking ALL the flu vaccine myths
- A Texas Televangelist Says You Don’t Need a Flu Shot if You’ve Got Jesus