INFLUENZA & INFLUENZA VACCINE
The following information is provided to help you understand the disease influenza and the influenza vaccine so you can make an informed decision regarding use of this vaccine.
Information on this website with links to other websites and resources will help you become educated about many infectious diseases and vaccines so you can take control of and responsibility for your health choices. This information is not intended to serve as medical advice but as background information that you can use to educate yourself.
Whenever making a major health care decision for yourself or your child, especially one that involves use of a pharmaceutical product such as a vaccine, obtaining information from many different sources and consulting health care professionals you trust is important. NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about influenza and Influenza vaccine and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a decision about vaccination.
It is important to be equally concerned and knowledgeable about the risks of Influenza disease as we are about the risks of influenza vaccine. Both influenza and the influenza vaccine carry risks. Influenza disease has the potential to cause seizures, brain damage, and even death, just as the vaccine can.
Most of America’s medical community believes that the risk of serious injury or death from influenza is greater than the risk of injury or death which can be caused by Influenza vaccine. However, recognition of and concern about the risks of Influenza disease does not diminish our need and responsibility to acknowledge the need to minimize influenza vaccine risks. The challenge today is for parents, physicians, scientists, manufacturers and health officials to recognize the risks of both the disease and the vaccine and work to protect the health and well being of every individual.
If your doctor does not support your informed health choices, consider consulting another doctor, who will work as a partner with you and respect whatever decision you make. Below are links to specific topics regarding Influenza and Influenza vaccine for ease of use. However, the topics are interrelated and the content comprehensive. No topic link below should be treated in a stand-alone fashion and NVIC reccomends that all the information be used to reach a vaccination decision.
This portion of our website in also in the process of being updated as new information on influenza vaccines in use this season is made known. Please continue to check back for the latest information.