Debunking Some Assumptions about the Flu Vaccination
Monday, January 6, 2020
As the season changes, winter arrives with a bang and brings the flu along! No one wants the flu, especially little kids going to Hong Kong Kindergarten miss all the activity and fun. Parents must be aware and well informed that vaccination is the primary, important step towards protecting the health of your children and the entire family.
We understand and appreciate that people have varied views on the subject. However, it’s a good idea to be cognizant of the facts and myths. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual vaccination for everyone who is 6 months and older. Immune protection declines over time, hence the need for annual vaccination to ensure good health.
We will try to debunk a few myths or assumptions about flu vaccinations. This will help us to gain a better understanding of the well-being and to maintain the good health of our children.
Assumption 1. The flu is just a bad cold
Influenza or the flu is often, vaguely confused with a bad cold, (refer to our blog for some of our Hong Kong Playgroup teachers’ own DIY cold remedies). However, the flu is more severe with symptoms like high fever, headaches, body aches, coughing and severe fatigue. Children may also experience nausea or diarrhoea. In extreme cases, flu can lead to more serious complications and even death.
It is highly critical that annual flu vaccinations are taken, and some protective health measures are followed, such as washing your hands regularly with soap, covering your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, and in general maintaining personal hygiene. The flu has serious consequences like hospitalization especially for high-risk population, i.e. infants, young kids and elders.
Assumption 2. Vaccines are not safe and may cause autism
This is not true. Vaccines go through rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness. They do not contain harmful ingredients. Some people believe that vaccines cause autism. This assumption is probably because some children are diagnosed with autism around the same time they are immunized. However, this is not the case. Rest assured that flu vaccines DO NOT cause autism.
Assumption 3. The flu vaccination causes the Flu or Influenza
Another widespread assumption about the flu vaccinations is that it causes the flu! The flu vaccine is safe, effective and time-tested – you cannot get the flu from the vaccine. Most notable side effects of the vaccination are redness, soreness or swelling where the vaccine was given.
The flu shot is delivered via a needle or through a nasal spray which is a common medium for young children. The flu vaccine contains virus strains that are either “inactive” or weakened to match the most commonly circulating influenza viruses during that year. An “inactive” virus strain refers to killed flu viruses that is so weak it cannot cause an infection. The concept behind this is to build the body’s capability to produce the antibodies. So even if vaccinated people do get the flu, they experience milder symptoms and also recover faster than those who skip the shot. Please note it typically takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to be effective.
During these 2 weeks, it is still possible to get the flu or another respiratory virus. Hong Kong Kindergartens, like Mighty Oaks, offer the nasal spray medium for the flu vaccine. Some children tend to get scared when they see a needle; in that sense, the nasal spray is a less threatening and more comfortable, yet effective solution to deliver the vaccine.
Assumption 4: You can't spread the flu if you do not experience symptoms.
20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms. Vice versa, research has shown children can still spread the flu up to seven days after their symptoms start. Catching the flu has nothing to do with being in cold weather without a coat or not drying your hair. The one and only way to catch the flu is being exposed to the influenza virus.
Easy Access to Flu Vaccinations
The Hong Kong Department of Health has introduced subsidy schemes and free vaccines for the communities at risk and kids under the age of 6 years. The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Outreach Programme (free of charge) is for Hong Kong kindergartens, childcare centres and schools. Parents can refer Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) for more information if your schools are not part of SIV program.
Know the symptoms of flu. If your loved ones get sick, please contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss treatment options. It is never too late to be vaccinated as flu season has been known to go into springtime.
➡【Join our Mighty Oaks family!/ 快來加入奧恩大家庭】
➡【 Sign up for Acorn Trial Class now!/Acorn 試堂優惠】
We understand and appreciate that people have varied views on the subject. However, it’s a good idea to be cognizant of the facts and myths. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual vaccination for everyone who is 6 months and older. Immune protection declines over time, hence the need for annual vaccination to ensure good health.
We will try to debunk a few myths or assumptions about flu vaccinations. This will help us to gain a better understanding of the well-being and to maintain the good health of our children.
Assumption 1. The flu is just a bad cold
Influenza or the flu is often, vaguely confused with a bad cold, (refer to our blog for some of our Hong Kong Playgroup teachers’ own DIY cold remedies). However, the flu is more severe with symptoms like high fever, headaches, body aches, coughing and severe fatigue. Children may also experience nausea or diarrhoea. In extreme cases, flu can lead to more serious complications and even death.
It is highly critical that annual flu vaccinations are taken, and some protective health measures are followed, such as washing your hands regularly with soap, covering your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, and in general maintaining personal hygiene. The flu has serious consequences like hospitalization especially for high-risk population, i.e. infants, young kids and elders.
Assumption 2. Vaccines are not safe and may cause autism
This is not true. Vaccines go through rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness. They do not contain harmful ingredients. Some people believe that vaccines cause autism. This assumption is probably because some children are diagnosed with autism around the same time they are immunized. However, this is not the case. Rest assured that flu vaccines DO NOT cause autism.
Assumption 3. The flu vaccination causes the Flu or Influenza
Another widespread assumption about the flu vaccinations is that it causes the flu! The flu vaccine is safe, effective and time-tested – you cannot get the flu from the vaccine. Most notable side effects of the vaccination are redness, soreness or swelling where the vaccine was given.
The flu shot is delivered via a needle or through a nasal spray which is a common medium for young children. The flu vaccine contains virus strains that are either “inactive” or weakened to match the most commonly circulating influenza viruses during that year. An “inactive” virus strain refers to killed flu viruses that is so weak it cannot cause an infection. The concept behind this is to build the body’s capability to produce the antibodies. So even if vaccinated people do get the flu, they experience milder symptoms and also recover faster than those who skip the shot. Please note it typically takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to be effective.
During these 2 weeks, it is still possible to get the flu or another respiratory virus. Hong Kong Kindergartens, like Mighty Oaks, offer the nasal spray medium for the flu vaccine. Some children tend to get scared when they see a needle; in that sense, the nasal spray is a less threatening and more comfortable, yet effective solution to deliver the vaccine.
Assumption 4: You can't spread the flu if you do not experience symptoms.
20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms. Vice versa, research has shown children can still spread the flu up to seven days after their symptoms start. Catching the flu has nothing to do with being in cold weather without a coat or not drying your hair. The one and only way to catch the flu is being exposed to the influenza virus.
Easy Access to Flu Vaccinations
The Hong Kong Department of Health has introduced subsidy schemes and free vaccines for the communities at risk and kids under the age of 6 years. The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Outreach Programme (free of charge) is for Hong Kong kindergartens, childcare centres and schools. Parents can refer Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) for more information if your schools are not part of SIV program.
Know the symptoms of flu. If your loved ones get sick, please contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss treatment options. It is never too late to be vaccinated as flu season has been known to go into springtime.
➡【Join our Mighty Oaks family!/ 快來加入奧恩大家庭】
➡【 Sign up for Acorn Trial Class now!/Acorn 試堂優惠】
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