As MQ Health prepares to offer staff free flu shots, we look at the Top 5 myths that surround the flu and flu vaccination. Prepare yourself for some surprises!

Professor Simon Willcock, Primacy Care Program Head at MQ Health, says the flu can lead to severe problems for those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems.

“Even for healthy adults, a bout of flu causes significant disability and stress, as well as workplace disruption,” he says.

“The more of us vaccinated against this year’s flu, the lower the risk to others.”

1. A flu vaccine will give you the flu – FALSE
   You cannot get flu from the vaccine because there is no live virus contained in the dose.
2. The flu virus can survive for more than 8 hours on hard surfaces – TRUE
   The virus is spread by infected people coughing and sneezing so it is easy to catch and spread, and hard to avoid.
3. I don’t need a flu vaccine every year – FALSE
   The flu virus is constantly changing. Every year, the vaccine is adapted to protect against the flu strains that are most likely to be around that winter.
4. Flu is just a bad cold – FALSE
   Flu can be much worse than a cold, causing symptoms such as fever and muscle ache. In some cases, severe illness and complications can occur.
5. Man flu isn’t real – FALSE
   According to a study conducted by Stanford University, testosterone may make men more susceptible to the virus!

Protect yourself, your family, and your colleagues from the highly contagious influenza virus by taking part in Macquarie’s 2017 flu shot program. Free flu shots are available to all full-time, part-time and casual Macquarie staff.

Book your free flu shot appointment now.

Sources

• Immunise Australia Program
• FluSmart
• Stanford Medicine