Flu Prevention & Flu Shots
As summer turns to fall, our attention turns to helping you avoid the flu! Ever wonder if you can get the flu from a flu shot, what risks the shot carries, or if you even need a flu shot?
Join Dr. Richard Ellison, MD, an infectious disease specialist at UMass Memorial Medical Center, live on Twitter for a Q&A about the flu and its prevention. Dr. Ellison will answer your questions about the flu and flu shot, and explain why you can’t get sick from the shot and how its benefits far outweigh the risks.
Physician
Richard Ellison, MD
Q:
Can expectant moms get the #flushot in 2nd trimester? #umassmemorialflu @Women'sHealthNIH #Pregnant #Women Reminded to Get #Flu #Vaccine
A:
#pregnant #women are a high risk group & can get the flu shot but not the nasal spray #umassmemorialflu
Q:
#umassmemorialflu how come flu shots are so readily available, but in years past there were shortages?
A:
The Federal government put a lot of resources into improving the vaccine supply
Q:
#umassmemorialflu A I am a 2nd grade teacher and looking for resources/data that I can provide my skeptical parents of students in my classroom concerned about the flu shot & possible side effects effects on kids. Id like to ease their fears- can you suggest resources, websites,etc with this data? #umassmemorialflu
A:
#umassmemorialflu - The CDC has an excellent website (http://t.co/qcdGn3D4), also http://t.co/yJOMqDjT The Mass DPH website is easiest to reach by Googling it - but great info there #umassmemorialflu - One more very good website is http://t.co/jOA9obfi . Good for all vaccines
Q:
#umassmemorialflu is it normal to have a temperature after getting my flu shot?
A:
there are lots of viruses circulating during flu season that can make someone sick- #flushot is a killed vaccine so you cant get the flu from it
Q:
why have i come down w flu like symptoms following flu shot past 2 yrs?
A:
there are lots of viruses circulating during flu season that can make someone sick- #flushot is a killed vaccine so you cant get the flu from it
Q:
This weekend I came down with a nasty cold. Should I wait until my cold clears up before getting a flu shot? #umassmemorialflu
A:
If you're healthy enough to go back to work you can get the flu shot
Q:
Are there benefits to getting the #flu shot over the nasal-spray #flu vaccine? how do I know which is right for me? #umassmemorialflu
A:
The nasal spray is for healthy individuals; high risk people should get the shot (contd below) If you are between 2 and 49 and healthy you can get the nasal spray. Both vaccines protect People who do get nasal-spray vaccine should avoid going into a Bone marrow transplant unit for 1 week #umassmemorialflu
Q:
#umassmemorialflu My 2 year old got her flu shot, but needs to go back for a booster. At what age can she just get one shot?
A:
#umassmemorialflu - She'll only need 1 dose each year after this if she gets it every year. After 9, only 1 dose per year
@umassmemorial.. Did you know..? RT @richardellison3: #pregnant #women are a high risk group & can get the flu shot but not the nasal spray #umassmemorialflu
@umassmemorial RT @richardellison3: Flu data for skeptical #parents-> @CDCflu has excellent site: http://t.co/alokRmhH or http://t.co/RuoE16Jq #umassmemorialflu
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