If you've been watching the news, its hard not to see a story about the flu epidemic that has taken over. Especially in Boston, where Mayor Thomas Menino, has declared a state of emergency. In recent weeks, 18 people accross the state of Massachusetts have died because of the illness. Flu season seems to strike us each year at the same time, but this year the awareness has reached a new high causing controversy with those who have refused the vaccine for various reasons.

Controversy

A bigger flu issue that has taken over the news is flu prevention, more specifically the flu shot. In some cases it has quite the controversy. An Indiana hospital has fired 8 employees for refusing the flu shot, a few of which claimed they could not have the shot due to religious reasons. A New Jersey 4-year-old was denied from school because he was not able to get the vaccine due to an egg allergy.

Do you agree that the employees should have been fired, or that the little boy was denied from his school?

"The vaccine doesn't work for me"

Another thing that has added to the already existing level of controversy is the effectiveness of the vaccine. "I still got the flu, even though I was vaccinated" - The flu shot is not a guarantee. There are still some factors that can prevent the vaccine to be effective on everyone. According to Medicine.Net:

• The vaccine is only effective against the strains of the virus that match the vaccine.

• The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is dependent upon the extent of the match between the virus strains used to prepare the vaccine and those viruses in actual circulation. The age and health status of the individual also play a role in determining the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Have you had your flu shot this year? Have you found it to be effective?

Flu Shot Vaccine 4-1-1

The vaccine contains fluids from chick embryos implanted with specific type or types of influenza virus. The viruses are in activated with formaldehyde and preserved with thimerssal, a mercury derivative. Which is why those who have an egg allergy, may turn down the vaccine.

There are two types of the influenza vaccine. A shot that is injected contains a killed virus. There is also a nasal spray that contains a live, but weakened virus. The vaccines do not become effective until 2-weeks post vaccination.

If you are interested in learning more about the vaccination or need to know where you can get a flu shot click here.

Have you had your flu shot? Do you feel the flu shot is good or bad, and why? Let us know your thoughts!