I know for some people, this is not an easy answer.
For me, I had zero hesitation. I happily get the flu vaccine every year. I've never had a reaction. And I very rarely get the flu. In fact, in general, I'm in better health because of it. I got all my vaccines as a kid, and as I get older and qualify for others, I'll be the first in line.
I know the covid vaccines are the best options to protect me, protect my loved ones, protect the other people around me, protect my massage clients, and to get back to any regular way of life with big hugs, big smiles, and live entertainment and interpersonal interactions. The reactions are 1,000,000 to 1 to get any sort of major reaction.
I got the Pfizer vaccine. Both shots, and besides a sore arm, I had zero reaction other than the feelings of hope, and more peace-of-mind that I'm doing my part.
Recently, I spoke to someone who's not gotten the covid vaccine yet. She believes she had a major reaction to the flu shot years ago, unfortunately, it's the only time she'd ever gotten a flu shot. So I decided to do a little research.
So what I was looking for was a list of ingredients and properties of a flu shot, and then the same of the 3 covid vaccine shots available in the US. Because the flu shot gives dead flu cells that create antibodies but should not cause the flu. The covid vaccines don't actually contain any version of the virus. They contain RNA that's been genetically engineered to look like the covid virus which also creates the antibodies but couldn't give you covid.
This is what I was looking for:
and
Some other findings that are interesting:
However, the websites do say that the reaction to the covid vaccine is generally the same or stronger than the reaction to a flu shot. And that if you've had an adverse reaction to a flu shot, it may not be recommended to get the covid vaccine. But that you should speak to your doctor about it and determine the best course of action, or maybe the safest shot for you to get.
I also know of people that have gotten covid, or gotten sick at the same time as the flu or covid shot, but it wasn't from the shot. It was that they were otherwise exposed and just happen to get very sick at the same time, because it takes 2 weeks after the shot to develop the antibodies and protect you. So if you happen to have already been exposed and have it in your system, the shot won't help that day.
There are new options frequently. And generally strong reactions are 1 in a million and will quickly go away, as opposed to getting covid, which doesn't guarantee you'll ever get better. But I do recommend checking the cdc.gov website for up-to-date information and to speak to your doctor.
I also some people waiting for the vaccines to be approved by the FDA and not just for emergency use. But if you've seen my documentary, "
Fighting For Allergy-Free Food" you'll know that the FDA is not the end-all be-all for protecting us the way we want. The reason the vaccines were developed so quickly, is partially because the researchers/scientists already knew that a global pandemic would most likely be on the horizon. We'd had major scares before with Sars and Ebola and an airborne one was just around the corner. They were already working on the technology and knew it had to be done fast, safely, and efficiently. They couldn't start testing yet, but they each did the same extensive testing that all vaccines do. It just happened a little faster than we knew, because it had to. I know several people who were in the vaccine trials and I appreciate them. For more answers, look at the CDC.gov website.
Please keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, be considerate of all others whether or not you agree with them, and be well!
