It's October, the time of year you bravely offer up your arm (or nose) for your annual influenza vaccination, whether by shot or nasal spray.
If you're like most, you are likely coping with the seasonal foot-draggers--those friends, family members or co-workers who announce: "The flu vaccine? Me? No, never."
Of course, that foot-dragging ups the odds that you'll soon be sitting by, living with, or taking care of a feverish, fatigued, whiny person with the flu.
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Telling them that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for everyone six months or older is not likely to be persuasive.
So, Take Part took the usual spate of excuses to Dr. Aaron Glatt, an infectious disease specialist and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, to see what he had to say. He's heard nearly all the arguments against getting vaccinated and has a response for every one.
Glatt, executive vice-president at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center, New York, tackled the six most common excuses, with backup from the CDC.
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Claim: The flu vaccine isn't very effective.
"It's not perfect, but it works an awful lot better than not getting the vaccine," Glatt says. Each year, the vaccine is matched up, as best as possible, to the influenza viruses that experts predict will be most common during the coming flu season.
Their predictions aren't faultless.
Overall, according to the CDC, the vaccine works better in young, healthy adults and older children. It may not be as effective in some older people and those who have weaker immune systems due to issues such as chronic illnesses.
Glatt says it's difficult to put an exact percentage on effectiveness--there are too many variables in people and in flu seasons.
However, the CDC takes a stab at it: The flu vaccine was about 60 percent effective for all age groups combined in the 2010-2011 season. In a study of the flu vaccine in kids, researchers found it protected up to nine out of 10 who got vaccinated.
Claim: The vaccine itself gave me the flu once. Never again.
"Impossible," Glatt says.
More likely, a person was harboring some bug before the shot and was stricken with a flu-like illness or the common cold, he says.
Side effects can happen, of course. The most common are soreness, redness or swelling at the shot site, a low grade fever, or body aches.
Serious allergic reactions are very rare, the CDC says. If you have symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, breathing problems or wheezing within a few hours after the vaccination, get medical help.
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Claim: The flu vaccine, like others, can cause serious problems such as autism.
Not a shred of evidence for this, Glatt says. He points to the recent discrediting of research linking the measles vaccine to autism in children as one proof of vaccines' overall safety.
Claim: I have a strong immune system. I repel viruses and bacteria of all kinds.
A strong immune system is no guarantee that a virulent influenza virus won't overpower it, Glatt says.
Another point: "Most people don't really know how good their immune system is. It needs to be stressed that this is a potentially fatal disease. It's more likely to affect sicker people in a more serious way." But not always, he adds.
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Claim: I don't care if I get sick. I have plenty of sick days. I can use the time to catch up on television/reading/Facebook/old movies.
Or those online chats with Narcissists 'R' Us?
Glatt asks: "What about your spouse, kids, and elderly parents?" Do you really want to spread that virus around?
Claim: I'm allergic to eggs. I shouldn't get the vaccine.
Maybe.
The CDC, historically, has recommended that those with egg allergy skip the vaccine, as U.S. vaccines are made with egg-based processes.
However, in 2011, the CDC said those who have only hives as a reaction to eggs may be able to get the vaccine if they are closely monitored.
More recent research suggests that some people with egg allergies may be able to get the vaccine. In a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers followed more than 300 people with egg alleriges, most of them chiildren, who got the flu shot over five years. Some had even had severe reactions to eggs in the past.
They found none had a serious reaction to the flu vaccine which, it seems, contains only tiny amounts of egg protein. A small percentage of people had itchy skin or hives, considered minor reactions.
If you have had problems with an egg allergy, ask your doctor about the flu vaccine. The CDC recommends those with more severe reactions should consult a specialist.
The rest of you? You know what to do.
So now are you going to get a flu shot? Let us know in the comments.
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Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles journalist who writes about health. She doesn't believe inmiracle cures, but continues to hope someone will discover a way for joggers to maintain their pace.