SEATTLE — Forty-one states are reporting widespread flu outbreaks, and six people have died so far this season in Washington.
State Health Secretary Mary Selecky emphasized Wednesday that the best thing people in Washington state can do is get a flu shot.
“Germs are everywhere. In fact, germs outnumber people and they outsmart us. Hand-washing helps, but the flu vaccine is going to be the most effective thing you can do,” she said.
And contrary to what some might think, experts say the vaccine won’t give you the flu.
“When you get a flu shot you’re getting a dead virus, so it can’t give you the flu,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “But what it’s doing is activating your immune system. It’s teaching your system to recognize that virus as a problem.”
3 Comments to “Hoping to avoid the flu? Get a shot, state official says”
January 10, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Except for the fact that the current vaccination doesn't include the most virulent strain that's going around this season.
January 14, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Reports are there’s “No Value in Any Influenza Vaccine: Cochrane Collaboration Study”
http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-10-05/no-va…
U.S. government panel now pushing “vaccinations for all!” No exceptions…
http://www.naturalnews.com/029081_vaccinations_pu…
January 16, 2013 at 9:29 AM
I am so glad your article stated that yo can not get the flu from a flu shot. As a registered nurse, I constantly have patients tell me that they won't get vaccinated against the flu because they don't want to get sick. I recently wrote an article on this subject which can be found at http://familyfunandyum.com/flu