Daily HealthBeat Tip

A safe shot

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Don't let the flu shot scare you.

Concern over the safety of influenza vaccines can keep some people from getting vaccinated. But Dr. Jeanne Santoli of the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says getting a flu shot is pretty risk-free.

"Flu vaccines are safe and effective. And flu vaccines cannot give you influenza." (six seconds)

Side effects may occur � minor ones, such as redness or soreness at the injection site. And a vaccine may � rarely � cause some problems such as severe allergic reactions. But almost everyone has no serious problems. And if getting a needle is out of the question, there is an alternative: the nasal spray. It also can deliver protection. However, the nasal spray is approved only for healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 29, 2005

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