We know how important it is for at-risk groups -- children, people with asthma, people over 65, and people with any weakened condition (such as surgery) or immune suppression (transplants or treatment involving radiation). In other words, most people with VHL should get the flu shot.

What is less well known is that all members of the family of such people is equally important. Nurses, doctors, and caregivers are key to preventing the spread of influenza, a debilitating and highly contagious respiratory infection. It is caused by a virus and leads to an average of approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

An increasing number of people are going to work sick, trying to avoid taking time away from work, or not wanting to let the team down by being absent. But this means they are bringing their germs to work, and potentially infecting their colleagues, causing more total time away from the job. And if any of these workers is caring for a child, an elderly parent, or a family member who is sick, infections brought home to these vulnerable people could cause a serious or life-threatening situation.

The influenza vaccine remains the best way for caregivers to protect themselves, their families and the patients in their care during the annual influenza epidemic. Because the vaccine is altered nearly every year to match the circulating strain and because immunity from the vaccine wanes over time, the vaccine must be given each year -- ideally in October or November.

Vaccine Myths Abound

Q: Does the vaccine cause the flu? -- No.

Q: Don’t I already have immunity because I’m exposed to so many germs? -- No. Because influenza viruses are constantly changing, past exposure to influenza will not provide protection against newly emerged strains.

Q: Aren’t the side effects worse than the flu itself? -- No, the most serious side effect occurs in people who are severely allergic to eggs (the vaccine viruses are grown in eggs). For this reason, people allergic to eggs are advised not to get the vaccine. The most common side effects are redness at the injection site and a sore arm. These symptoms are mild and go away in 1-2 days.

For more information about influenza and the influenza vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

[1] CDC, MMWR. 2004;52(RR06):1-40.

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 15:1, January 2007. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.