This year has been very questionable health wise with Covid-19. Now we are slowly approaching the flu season, and many people are worried. Flu season is usually worse around the winter months such as December to February. Some people have been receiving the flu shot, and others have not. The real question is: Should the flu shot be required this  year? The CDC strongly encourages that anyone over the age of 6 months should receive a flu shot, especially this year.

Many scientists such as Anthony Fauci, an American Physician, have argued that if there is a vaccine for the flu, everyone should get the vaccine to prevent people from unnecessary doctor’s trips, and even hospitalization. Here are some facts about the flu vaccine and pros as to why you should get it. According to CDC.org, anyone six months and older shall receive a flu vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus. People who are high risk and immunocompromised should receive a flu vaccine as it is very important for them to protect their immune systems. According to Charles Chiu, an infectious disease expert, “In a bad flu season, which peaks from December to February, 40 million to 50 million Americans may catch the flu, with some 800,000 requiring hospitalization”. Receiving this vaccine will not only prevent many people from missing work and school, but it will also reduce strain on health care personnel during the response to Covid-19. 

Due to some political and religious beliefs, many people have opted out of getting the flu vaccine this season. Here are some cons of the flu vaccine and who should not get it. People who should not receive the flu vaccine are considered by age, their allergies, and past and present medical conditions. Children under the age of 6 months cannot receive the vaccine as they are too young. Also, people with severe life threatening allergies to egg, gelatin and other vaccine ingredients cannot get the vaccine. According to the CDC, even if you get the vaccine, you are still subject to get the flu as the vaccine has been proven to not always work.

In my opinion, getting the Flu shot this year is a very controversial topic because everyone’s view points are vastly different, and there are many things to be considered. Before deciding if you should receive the vaccine or not, you should be informed on the pros and cons of this vaccine in order to make an informed decision. I believe that if you do not want to get the vaccine, then you don’t have to, but there are consequences to that, and you are fully responsible for those consequences. I also believe that getting the flu vaccine depends on your health, and age. People with severely compromised immune systems such as older people, and people with life threatening illnesses have been hospitalized for the flu, and in 2018-2019 alone, 34,000 people have died. Vaccines are readily available at local pharmacies around you such as CVS and Walgreens. Getting that vaccine can prevent those people from dying or spreading it to people around them.