Why do we recommend getting a Flu shot, if it does not prevent a coronavirus infection?
There are three obvious reasons:
- Flu is a killer. Last season, more than 20,000 people died of Influenza in Germany alone. Numbers are similar in other European countries, and the U.S. A Flu shot does protect you from a serious disease.
- Getting a Flu shot does help protect the community. Certain people cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. So, your Flu shot will protect them, since you won’t be spreading the disease to those without protection or with a weak immune system (i.e. undergoing chemotherapy).
- In the current situation with a new coronavirus, hospitals need every capacity to be ready in case of an emergency. Isolation and intensive care units are of limited supply. Every bed occupied by a severe Influenza case will be one too many, since Flu is a preventable disease.
In short: Show some responsibility for your community! The vaccine does not only help you personally, it also protects people around you. Help your local hospital cope with the coronavirus infections. It is a simple matter of solidarity, one important foundation of democratic societies!
What keeps you from getting a Flu shot?
Money? It’s cheap and most health insurances will cover the costs, and in many cases even your employer will do.
Time? It takes five minutes.
Pain? It is painless.
Fear of side effects? Some people will sport a short fever (as Joerg does), this simply shows your immune system is reacting. Sometimes the area around the injection will turn red and warm (Sabine experienced this once). This is all you have to expect. Nothing to worry about.
We receive Flu shots every year since 2000, although we do think we would survive an Influenza infection. This is called altruism.
Stay tuned,
Sabine and Joerg
To those of you who generally oppose vaccination: We do not think we will reach you. Scientific facts do not interfere with your opinion, so please keep on living in the Stone Ages. But you should be aware that you are benefitting from those who are vaccinated! This is called social parasitism. Now is a good time to reconsider your choices, it is in your responsibility.