Objective: Influenza is a common but miserable illness with rare but serious cases of encephalitis, associated community acquired pneumonia and high risk of absenteeism from work. Could this malady be avoided by getting the influenza vaccine?
Methods: Survey of 12 physicians (10 of them them radiologists at UHN in Toronto) from all parts of the world on whether it was worth it to get a "flu" vaccine. Countries represented included: South Korea, Germany, Australia, former USSR, Saudi Arabia, India, Ireland, Greece, Canada and USA.
Results: A total of six physicians received the vaccine and two reported having side effects of fever and chills. Six physicians declined the vaccine citing concerns of side effects including symptoms of infection, terrifying ascending paralysis (Guillain-Barre syndrome) and one physician reporting, "I never get sick".
Discussion: We can state that the influenza vaccine may be effective against contracting the influenza virus. None of the vaccinated physicians have become infected (so far) and five of the six non vaccinated physicians have not become infected. However, at least two of the six vaccinated physicians were symptomatic and regretted getting vaccinated. The one physician who was infected would only consider receiving the vaccine for next year.
Conclusion: Never say, "I never get sick." and you can meet people from all over the world in Toronto.
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