What are the disadvantages of a flu vaccination? | Flu vaccination – yes or no?

What are the disadvantages of a flu vaccination?

The flu vaccination is usually very well tolerated. Nevertheless, side effects may occur. There may be redness or swelling of the injection site, which can also be painful.

In addition, general symptoms such as tiredness, nausea, muscle pain or shivering may occur. The symptoms usually subside completely within one to two days. Very rarely, allergic reactions, inflammation of the small blood vessels or a reduction in the number of blood platelets (responsible for blood clotting) may occur.

Patients who knowingly are allergic to ingredients of the vaccine or to chicken protein should consult their doctor about whether and under what circumstances vaccination is possible. It may also be a disadvantage that the flu vaccination is necessary every year in order to get sufficient vaccination protection for the new flu season. This involves making prognosiss as to which three or four virus types will occur most frequently in the coming flu season.

Therefore the flu inoculation works only to approximately 60 per cent, since the prognoses are not annually one hundred per cent correct and the virus can change also in the current flu season. The statement that the flu vaccination prevents about 60 percent of all infections is based on healthy adults. People at risk with a weakened immune system may have a lower level of vaccination protection.

Nevertheless, the vaccination is considered useful and is recommended because an infection is likely to be milder than without vaccination. Very rarely allergic reactions, inflammation of the small blood vessels or a reduction in the number of blood platelets (responsible for blood clotting) may occur. Patients who knowingly are allergic to ingredients of the vaccine or to chicken protein should consult their doctor about whether and under what circumstances vaccination is possible.

A further disadvantage may be that the flu vaccination is necessary every year in order to receive sufficient vaccination protection for the new flu season. This involves making prognosiss as to which three or four virus types will occur most frequently in the coming flu season. Therefore the flu inoculation works only to approximately 60 per cent, since the prognoses are not annually one hundred per cent correct and the virus can change also in the current flu season.The claim that flu vaccination prevents about 60 percent of all infections is based on healthy adults. Persons at risk with a weakened immune system may have a lower vaccination protection under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, the vaccination is considered useful and is recommended because an infection is likely to be milder than without vaccination.