Is the flu vaccine effective?

It's that time of year again. The wisest among us will make an effort to get the best protection medical science has to offer against the flu virus.

The composition of the flu vaccine differs from one year to the next. It is designed to protect against the specific viruses expected to be in circulation for the current year. The vaccine should be administered in the Fall, before the cold weather and flu season begin. It takes about two weeks before the expected immunity becomes fully effective.

No one wants to suffer through a case of the flu, so getting the vaccine is a wise precaution for everyone. It is especially important for the following groups:

* Children between 6 months and 19 years

* Pregnant women

* Anyone 50 years or older

* Anyone with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney or lung disease

* Anyone with a weakened immune system, from HIV, medications, or other causes

* Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

* School personnel, health care workers and child care workers.

The effectiveness of the vaccine varies with age. For healthy people below the age 65, the flu shot is 70% to 90% effective. When a vaccinated person does get the flu, he'll get a much milder form, with decreased risk of complications.

For adults over 65 who live at home, the flu shot is 30% to 70% effective in preventing hospitalization from the flu or from pneumonia.

For nursing home residents, the shot is 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia, and 80% effective in preventing death from influenza.

The vaccine is not as effective for older people, because they produce fewer antibodies in response to the virus. Still, it is much better than no protection at all. Of vital importance, is the fact that the vaccine reduces the risk of complications such as pneumonia, heart attack, stroke and even death for older flu patients.

There are some people who should not get a flu shot. Among them are:

* Anyone who had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past

* Anyone allergic to chicken eggs

* Anyone who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after a past shot. This occurs about once in a million cases, and the patients usually recover.

* Anyone with a fever. Wait until your temperature returns to normal.

The flu vaccine is also available in the form of a nasal mist, but it is less effect than the shot.

It is necessary to have a new flu shot every year, because the virus mutates easily, and new viruses often enter our hemishere from different lands around the globe.

The vaccine is usually given in the arm. The liquid in the healthcare worker's syringe contains dead viruses, so it can't possibly make you sick. Your body manufactures antibodies to these viruses, and when you're exposed to an actual, live flu virus, these antibodies should be able to fight it off.

The flu vaccine is a gift from medical science to the people of our generation. It can save a person from being incapacitated, or worse from a miserable case of influenza. It is easy, fast and inexpensive to receive. There are virtually no side effects.