Quick Facts:
Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by type A or type B influenza viruses and symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and cough that lasts a week or more. Transmission can be prevented or reduced in home and health care settings with hand washing, masking, and separating sick and healthy persons.
The
CDC estimates that there are about 23,000 deaths annually associated with influenza. However, there is controversy about whether the majority of reported deaths are caused by complications of true type A or type B influenza or are caused by other viral and bacterial infections, which are assumed to be influenza.
Vaccine manufacturers state that safety and effectiveness of influenza vaccine has not been established for pregnant and nursing women. It is not known whether these vaccines, when administered to pregnant women, may cause harm to the unborn child or can affect reproduction capacity.
Many influenza vaccines contain the mercury preservative, Thimerosal, in amounts above federal safety guidelines for human exposure to mercury. Unused multi-dose vials of influenza vaccines containing thimerosal must be disposed in hazardous waste containers. Single dose vials of influenza vaccine do not contain mercury perservatives.
According to independent reviews and analysis of the medical literature, most
influenza studies are poorly designed and have not demonstrated influenza vaccine is very effective or safe in young children and the elderly.
NVIC “Quick Facts” is not a substitute for becoming fully informed about influenza and the influenza vaccine. NVIC recommends consumers read the more complete information following the "Quick Facts", as well as the vaccine manufacturer product information inserts, and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Search for Vaccine Reactions
NVIC is proud to host
MedAlerts, a powerful VAERS database search engine. MedAlerts examines symptoms, reactions, vaccines, dates, places, and more.
Reporting a Vaccine Reaction
Since 1982, the NVIC has operated a
Vaccine Reaction Registry, which has served as a watchdog on VAERS. Reporting vaccine reactions to
VAERS is the law. If your doctor will not report a reaction, you have the right to report a suspected vaccine reaction to VAERS.
Vaccine Reaction Symptoms & Ingredients
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. 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 recommends that all the information be used to reach a vaccination decision.
Additional Resources:
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.