The CDC defines influenza as a highly contagious viral disease. Influenza attacks the respiratory system. The spread of influenza flu is through tiny droplets released during sneezing, coughing, or talking, which land on the other person’s nose or mouth. Complications and severity of the disease vary from one season to another, yet distinct characteristics such as race, age, and gender place individuals at high risk for complications.
The disease can cause mild to severe illness, and it is preventable through the flu vaccine. While the CDC ascertains that vaccine prevents people from acquiring the disease, some are reluctant to be vaccinated.
According to the Medical Doctor in the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Xiao Guo. He said a flu vaccination each fall is essential.
“Flu vaccination is crucial for adults and kids since it prevents and minimizes hospitalizations and illnesses that can lead to paralysis of the limbs, amputation of an arm or less, hearing loss, brain damage, and death.” Xiao said.
Another important reason for the need to get flu shots is that flu viruses often seriously affect the health of patients with other diseases and even cause them to die.
Xiao said “When people are asked the reasons for being opposed to vaccines, they share distinct reasons such as religious beliefs, lack of education, poverty, and health beliefs”.
On the other hand, it took several generations of researchers time and lives, spent billions of dollars to develop various vaccines, if easily denied and resisted is a waste of professional efforts over the years.
Influenza flu can cause serious repercussions, particularly in patients with other preexisting conditions. Persons with chronic illnesses are at an increased risk of death. In contrast, when combined with other illnesses, the outcome can be paralysis and amputation of limbs, brain damage, or even hearing loss. Vaccination can prevent these severe outcomes.
The reasons for rejecting the influenza vaccine vary from community to another. Some cite religious beliefs, other health, poverty, and lack of education. The greatest impediment to vaccination is cultural and religious beliefs, combined with a lack of education.
However, Governor and medical practitioners can appeal to the masses to accept vaccinations by informing them about the consequences and importance of the same.
Over the years, Chicago has witnessed a change in vaccination rate and influenza mortality rates as public health regulations have opted to protect as many individuals as possible by limiting liberty to promote public health.
The CDC notes that the severity of influenza flu differs by season.
For instance, the 2015-2016 season was a moderate one characterized by a low percentage of hospitalization and mortality rates . The season’s mortality rate from influenza was 7.9%, which was lower than the previous one . The decrease in mortality rate is attributable to the mass uptake of the influenza vaccine.
However, the 2017-2018 season was a high severity period characterized by a prolonged duration of the disease. There were increased cases of hospitalization, outpatient visits, and deaths. The percentage of deaths from influenza and pneumonia by 2018 was above the epidemic threshold, exceeding 10% for four consecutive weeks. In the same period, 186 deaths among children were reported.
In terms of hospitalization, the 2017-2018 season recorded 710,000 flu hospitalizations while produced vaccines were 155.3 million. The elderly patients were the majority (58%) hospitalized persons. The Google Flourish Chart below shows more details about flu disease burden.
CDC estimates that influenza has resulted in nearly 50 million illnesses, between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths annually since 2010. (Disease Control and Prevention)
According to Chang, a graduate medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago medical school, the vaccine is the only safe protection against influence. However, the vaccine requires a yearly update to match frequent changes in influenza RNA. Adoption of the vaccine at public facilities such as community centers and ward offices can increase the uptake of the influenza flu vaccine. Besides, the government offers a free flu shot.
Public facilities like ward offices and community centers, and private facilities like Walgreens, CVS, Target are offering their flu shots this season all across the city.
“The government offers us the free flu shot, because it’s necessary,” said Sophie Yang, she is the gallery owner in Chicago Downtown and the new Asian-American immigrant who stayed in the United States for over 10 years.
Here is the interactive map of locations where people can get vaccinated for the free flu shot, most locations provide the address and hours. (Data from the Chicago Data portal)
Vaccination is crucial for preventing sickness and death caused by flu. While public health policies aim to ensure that all persons are vaccinated, diverse factors limit compulsory vaccination.
Religious perspectives such as the belief that it is wrong for people to receive chemicals and that healing is from God, hinders complete immunization of the targeted individuals (The history of Vaccines).
“Some of the kids are not vaccinated because their parents lack knowledge and information about the importance of immunization,” Chang said. “African Americans and hispanics are also among the significant large group of people who are not vaccinated because most of them lack education on the importance of vaccines.”
In conclusion, vaccination serves as a crucial aspect for which to prevent sickness and death resulting from influenza. However, religious perspectives hinder the realization of immunization and contribute to increased infections, hospitalizations, and even deaths. The government, in collaboration with health departments, should sensitize the masses on the importance of getting the flu vaccine.
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Avoiding the flu
During the flu season, people should think rationally and strive to be comprehensive, objective, and true in order to protect their lives and those around them. We hope you have strong attention to learn about the flu shot information and protect your health and protect others by doing the following:
Caroline Pan's journalism 