This Year’s Flu Vaccine: A Shot in the Arm
My father-in-law is a medical professional…an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, actually, so he’s capable of prescribing and dispensing medication to our family. He’s got a gentle touch and is really good at what he does, and any time I’ve needed unsolicited advice, he’s been a perfect resource, his knowledge of drug interactions and current trends rivaling any medical encyclopedia out there.
Every year, my father-in-law orders and administers a flu shot to his wife, kids, sons-in-law and really anyone else in the family who requests one. I personally always passed, because I’ve been a big believer in my own immune system’s ability to stave off the most nasty of flus, and thus far I must say it’s served me well (in at least the last 15 years I cannot remember ever having the flu). Now, normally I would have just continued on this course without any regrets or worries, mainly because I’m generally pretty healthy, I don’t fall into any of the “recommended” groups for flu vaccines, and I really don’t get sick often. Those dreams of avoiding the needle once again were shattered when my wife indicated that our pediatrician had suggested that it was probably a good idea that we get a flu vaccine, not only so that we’d be protected against transmitting the flu to our son Jay, but we’d also be reducing the risk of transmitting a flu virus to our preemie nephew, Max.
Max was born about 3 weeks ago and, while he’s a strong little kid right now, he was born 5 weeks too early and thus needs to be shielded from any potential antigens in his environment. Those extra 5 weeks would have been used to develop his lungs and immune system, but he was just far too anxious to meet his parents and the rest of his family to wait. As a result, we all have to be careful about making sure we sterilize his environment, so no matter how healthy I feel or how strong I feel my immune system, I decided it was probably a wise move to get a shot.
Ugh.
What I haven’t revealed thus far is that I am a sissy when it comes to needles. It’s not the needle itself; I am, in fact, quite fascinated by how they work and how tiny they can be. But the thought of sticking the thing into my arm causes me great distress and no amount of coaxing will make me feel better about it. So when I called my father-in-law to let him know that I was intending to take the vaccination this year on advice of my son’s pediatrician, I don’t know if there was trepidation in my voice but he suddenly took on the tone of a family doctor easing a 5-year-old patient. “Okay, Mariano, don’t worry, it’s a simple needle, quick and painless.”
“Dad, I’m not afraid of the shot, it’s just that I never did it before because I didn’t feel it was necessary,” I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. By all accounts, I shouldn’t be afraid of the needle; I will happily watch shows on TV showing the graphic details of a hip replacement surgery, and watching a birth is a breeze (well, for me…my wife probably has different opinions about it), but stick that needle in me and I tense up. It didn’t help that I had just watched my brother- and sister-in-law just take their shots with nary a wince, meanwhile I’m hiding in the corner of the room with my knees hugged to my chest, rocking back-and-forth chanting “There’s no place like home.” I’m such a wimp.
Some years it was easy to avoid the shot because of availability issues — the vaccine can’t be produced fast enough, or there is some issue with the manufacturing process, or any number of things could go wrong that require that only those “recommended” to get the flu shot receive it. Other people were, well, on their own and that was fine advice by me. This year, however, according to a report published on the web by the Jacksonville ABC affiliate, channel 7 KLTV, the U.S. flu vaccine is plentiful and there are more than 103 million doses available to those that would like it. The number could eventually surge to 132 million, according to the report, and it could be the highest recorded volume of vaccine ever recorded in the United States. You can read more by clicking here.
The flu vaccine is a fascinating animal because it does change from year-to-year as scientists try to figure out which strains of the virus are likely to spread to different regions of the world. This year’s cocktail protects against three specific types that are widely believed to be the most likely to spread, based on studies in other parts of the world. Though there can be several other types, the three identified will likely offer some, if not complete protection against other variations.
“Thimerosal free?” I asked feebly as my father-in-law approached, needle and alcohol swab in hand. “No preservatives in this, that’s why I had to refrigerate it,” he replied, quickly deflecting my attempt at a reason why the flu vaccine wasn’t good for me. Thimerosal, you may recall from my article entitled, “The Vaccination Debate“, is the mercury-based preservative that has suspected links with autism in young children under 2. Well, I’m well over 2 now, so even if it was thimerosal-based, I had nothing to complain about.
So, thanks to this overabundance of vaccines and the 2 little ones omnipresent in my life, I gritted my teeth as my father-in-law scrubbed up my shoulder with alcohol in preparation to receive the needle. I tried not to tense up, and I thought I did a pretty good job, but I have no idea if I was successful. As the pinch of the needle going in washed over my body, I felt relief as the drug was injected into the muscle. It hadn’t hurt at all, but what had bothered me more, the anticipation, was now over. I didn’t say anything, trying to be the strong, silent type, and regain some piece of the shattered manhood my father-in-law now beheld.
The next day I recall feeling what I can only describe as “funky” in the afternoon. I spent the afternoon with my son at the Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant, and as he ogled over the huge fish tank before him and pursed his lips and sucked in his cheeks in an attempt to imitate the marine creatures, I felt my mind wasn’t quite all there. I was sure it was my body producing the antibodies to stave off the dead (or inactive?) virus that had been injected within me less than 24 hours before. My arm was a bit sore, but I put on a brave face for my son. He’s 17 months old, so I’m not sure he knows what a brave face is, and, well, maybe I put on the brave face for myself more than him.
I think vaccinations are a necessary part of life that set up your defenses to be rock-solid, ready to take on the worst of the diseases that are out there. Needles, unfortunately for me, are the necessary delivery system for most of the vaccinations. I have no idea why I get so tense around them to the point that I can feel every muscle in my body pull, but I do work at overcoming that fear to do what’s necessary in order to keep myself and the others around me healthy. I even try to give blood regularly in spite of myself. At some point I’m hoping my body will understand what my brain has been saying all along and understand that this is no big deal.
How do you feel about the flu vaccine? Do you get one every year? Do you know if it’s thimerosal-free? Do you get as tense about being injected with something as I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Comments
AnneS, an interesting comment. Vaccines are supposed to expose your immune system to the viruses that they contain. Why do you feel that this exposure reduces your defenses, and how do you feel the toxins exacerbate the negative effect?
Aside from the thimerosal (which has been eliminated as a preservative in most drugs now), the other big toxin listed in minute amounts in vaccines is Formaldehyde. Granted, it’s not something to which I would normally expose myself, but we have naturally occurring amounts of this chemical in our bodies, which is required for the synthesis of DNA and amino acids (see here for more info). In fact, the amount you’d find in one vaccine is a small fraction of the amount that exists in your body naturally.
I am aware that there are other toxins in vaccines, but I’d be curious to know which specifically you’re concerned about? Or is it a particular vaccine that you believe isn’t safe to take?
Thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate your feedback!
[...] The technology does come with its limits, however, which may negatively impact the speed at which this world is adopted and accepted as an effective tool. Students may find the use of this software as necessary, even fun, to stay ahead of trends, much as students did in my college with the first introduction of the World Wide Web. However, I believe the tool needs to be refined for an older generation who may already be techno-phobic, and will have more reason to be so if they’re forced to use something like Second Life to improve their practice. You may recall my father-in-law from a few posts back who decided to give me a flu shot this year. In spite of his calm and re-assuring demeanor, I was scared silly by the anticipation of the needle penetrating my arm to deliver the vaccine. Similarly, if I were to place a laptop in front of him and force him to use it for medical collaboration, he may have a reaction much like mine to the needle. [...]
[...] here on this blog, starting with the debate as to whether their use can be linked to autism, my own experiences and fears regarding the flu vaccine and the debate as to whether an HPV vaccination could encourage sexual activity, just to name a [...]
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I believe you were more correct for those 15 years that you bypassed the shot and relied on your strong immune.
Vaccines don’t make your immune “rock-solid” – they make your immune weaker each time you take one. They take down your defenses, especially with all the toxins they contain.