To get a flu shot or to not get a flu shot -- it's been debated for years. Medical advocates encourage 
Americans to annually get flu shots to prevent the spread of influenza during cold season. Skeptics don't trust the ingredients in flu vaccinations and each year there are myths that circulate.
As a healthcare professional, it's important to be knowledgeable about the benefits and side effects of the flu shot and be prepared to answer questions from participants. If you find yourself fielding questions about flu vaccine safety during an event, the best thing you can say is:
The best way to prevent the flu is with a flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year. If you have specific questions regarding if the flu shot is right for you, please talk with your doctor.
New Research
We did want to inform you about a new study that has been making the rounds in the media. On Sept. 13, a study came out that reported a possible connection between flu vaccines and miscarriages, which is likely to raise questions about the safety of the vaccine as flu season gets underway.
Researchers studying the flu vaccine in pregnancy have found a hint of a possible association between miscarriage early in pregnancy and the flu vaccine in women who received a certain version of the vaccine two years in a row. It’s far too soon to say the vaccine actually did cause miscarriages, and researchers say the study did not find anything definite. This study does not and cannot establish a causal relationship between repeated influenza vaccination and miscarriage, but further research is warranted.
In the meantime, the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the study authors continue to recommend that pregnant women get a flu vaccine during pregnancy because of the danger influenza poses to women and their developing babies.
If you are working at a flu shot event for TotalWellness and receive questions about this study or have concerned pregnant participants, please tell them that they should talk to their healthcare provider.
For more information about the study, please visit the CDC website.
