Get Your COVID and Flu Vaccines!

Some of you are thinking “yeah, Joe - I already scheduled or got mine, you’re behind the curve!”

Some of you are thinking “you’re still talking about these vaccines?” To which…I mean, you must be new here.

Some of you might be wondering if these are right for you, especially with the chaotic messaging and back and forth of the 2025 HHS and Advisory Committeee on Immunization Practices. Thankfully, RFK Jr’s handpicked anti-science squad (who replaced 12 thoroughly-vetted scientists who actually understood how to interpret evidence) got mired in their self-induced chaos, to the benefit of the American people. The current guidance states that vaccines should be “based on individual-based decision-making.” They try to emphasize that benefits are greater for individuals at increased risk for COVID-19, which is obvious, but so many folks keep ignoring the fact that vaccines are a group effort. As a relatively young and healthy individual, I know that the vaccine may not have as much benefit for me, personally (although I have higher exposure at work) but my vaccination is not just for me - it protects others. That’s how vaccines work, and ignoring or misunderstanding how we achieve herd immunity with annual vaccines is not beneficial to anyone.

Quick Hits:

1. You cannot get the flu or COVID from these shots. You may get a short-lived inflammatory reaction while your immune system creates antibodies.

2. COVID and influenza kill people. Every year. Not the flu-like illness that lays you out for a day or two and then you bounce back. These viruses can result in respiratory failure and death. Not always, but why take the chance.

3. “Getting sick after the shot” usually means you were exposed to the virus before your shot. It’s that time of year. Lots of research has been done on this.

4. Adverse effects are usually mild, and serious adverse effects remain rare!

5. Both viruses mutate or change frequently, so vaccines are made to address the most likely variants and/or strains based on what’s around. But even if you get a strain or variant that isn’t specifically covered by the vaccine, the shot makes it so your sickness is less severe and shorter in duration.

6. If you’re “young and healthy” you are still vulnerable, but don’t just do it for yourself. Do it for the elderly, the very young, and the immunocompromised around you, because they’re more susceptible.

7. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or COVID-19 from the COVID shot.

   
   

Feel free to ask questions! But please be willing to listen to the evidence-based answers.