As a child, I did not really have a choice in regards to whether or not I received a flu shot. My parents always told me that it was something that I needed to get every year so that I wouldn’t get sick. I believed them so I always got one when I would go to the doctor for my yearly physical. Now, since I am old enough to make my own decisions on whether or not I receive one, I choose to get the shot. Although I only got the shot when I was younger due to my parents telling me that I needed to, I choose to be vaccinated now because I want to lower the risk of getting the flu. I also don’t want to be the person who doesn’t get the flu shot and gets sick, getting those around me who choose not to get vaccinated (for whatever reason they have) sick as well.
Getting vaccinated has so many benefits opposed to not getting vaccinated. In 2018 a study was conducted that showed that from 2012 to 2015, flu vaccinations among adults reduced the risk of getting sent to the emergency room with the flu by 82 percent. A study conducted in 2014 also showed that vaccinations among children helped to reduce the risk of getting sent to the emergency room with the flu by 74 percent. Getting the flu vaccination helps to prevent people from getting the flu and helps other people from getting it around you. If people were to not get vaccinated for whatever reason, they would not only be exposing themselves to the flu virus but those around them as well. It is not right to cause harm to those around you by not getting vaccinated.
I would personally rather not get sick with the flu, since I have so much going on and because going to classes would be impossible if I were to catch the flu. Getting sick does not do anyone any good. People have responsibilities and getting sick with the flu and putting themselves at risk for influenza would set them back from doing what they need to do. Yes, the flu shot can have some side effects, like headaches and a fever, but getting those minor things would be a lot better than getting the full on flu. I personally would rather get a minor fever but still be able to go to my classes than have the flu and not feel well enough to get out of my bed. I’m happy my parents had me get the flu shot when I was younger because getting it helped to realize that it was actually something that would help me in the long run. I was informed on how the flu shot helped my immune system fight the viruses in my body that were causing to get sick.
Many peopler not informed about the flu shot and that s why they choose not to get it. It would help people a lot more if they were well informed about what the flu shot does and what could happen if they choose not to get one. Although parents choose what their kid gets when they are younger, it would help if they also gave them some information about it so their child is informed about what they are getting and how it could help them in the long run.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 11, 2018. “What are the Benefits of Flu Vaccination”.Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-benefits.htm
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