Flu season is quickly arriving, and you have an important decision to make. Will you get a flu vaccine this year? There are many reasons to get a vaccine, and many reasons not to – and there may not even be a vaccine available for you if you don’t get your flu shot early.
The Availability of Flu Vaccines
The makers of flu vaccines and sprays – specifically Glaxo Smith Kline, Novartis, Sanofi-Pasteur, and Medimmune – have started shipping the flu vaccine as well as flu sprays to those who will distribute the vaccines and sprays to the public just before the flu season starts.
Last year, there was a shortage of the vaccine, largely due to the large number of cases of the Swine Flu that ran rampant around the world. Are we better prepared this year? These companies state that there will be approximately 155 million doses of flu shots and sprays available to the public, worldwide this year. There are over 6 billion people in the world. This means that vaccinations will not be available for every single person – but there are many who are not eligible for these vaccines, and many who will opt not to receive the vaccine even if they are eligible for it from a health standpoint.
Why You Might Opt Not to Get a Flu Shot
There are numerous reasons why you might opt against a flu shot this year. Some people simply have health issues that will not enable them to receive a flu shot. Others have different reasons. Some people fear the flu vaccine, feeling that there is too little information regarding the vaccine and how dangerous it may be – or how effective it really is. Some people simply fear shots and needles, which is a big deterrent. Others will guard against the flu in other, more natural ways.
Just knowing that other people will opt against the flu shot this year is not a good reason to assume that it will be available for you should you decide that you want the vaccine. There still are not enough vaccines to go around to everyone who wants one.
Your Best Source for the Flu Vaccine
Call your doctor’s office to find out when they will be giving flu shots, and make an appointment. You want the earliest possible appointment. Call your local health department to find out when they will be giving the flu shot, and make sure you are there very early that day, as this is usually on a first-come-first-serve basis. You can also check with your employer to find out if they will have someone come in to give flu shots.
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