There comes a time every year when the weather changes. Gone are the long, sunny, warm days of summer, and in their place comes shorter, darker, colder days. Everyone retreats indoors and gets ready to go into hibernation for the winter until the sunny days are upon us once more. This also signals that start of talk about the best workplace flu shots. People begin to pick up colds and flu easier after the weather changes. Everyone starts to worry, and we start researching how to prevent ourselves getting sick and needing time off work. If you are thinking of getting a vaccination of any sort it is important to remember the pros and cons, some of which are listed below to give you a better idea of how they can help but also hinder.
Advantages
- Prevention
Workplace flu shots can stop you from getting sick with this annoying bug. They are proven to be the most effective way to keep you fighting fit and healthy so that you can continue to make money for the company paying for the vaccinations. They may care about your health but probably their company a bit more.
- Severity of symptoms reduced
Becoming ill with sneezing, coughing and aches and pains in your muscles is one of the worst feelings around. You can’t really do anything except slowly drag yourself around the house from bed to your kitchen and back again. However, workplace flu shots will reduce the severity of the symptoms you feel, so while you may be under the weather you can still sit at your desk and be productive.
- Reduces risk of hospitalisation
For the elderly or the young, those who are pregnant or sick in other ways, the chances of becoming ill increase along with the severity of the symptoms that they’ll feel. Workplace flu shots can reduce the risk of needing to go to hospital with these symptoms while avoiding complications with the illness further down the line.
Disadvantages
- Allergic reaction
Workplace flu shots may react badly with some of those that receive them. There are multiple side effects related to them including hives and rashes, finding it difficult to breathe as well as increased heartbeat. Obviously, if you feel any of these side effects, you should immediately notify a medical professional. However, cases of these side effects are quite rare and usually occur within minutes or hours of receiving the injection.
- Still may get the flu
Receiving this vaccination isn’t a 100% fool proof way to avoiding falling ill. Workplace flu shots do not work immediately. They take two weeks to give you full protection. It is possible that you can fall ill in those two weeks while it is also possible that the vaccine you receive isn’t a match so to speak which means you won’t be fully protected.
- Contract other diseases
In a rare number of cases, workplace flu shots have been known to trigger other conditions which can affect your nervous system. If this has happened to you before, make sure you notify a health professional before receiving the injection. While if you feel sick after the vaccine, you should do the same.
There will always be a debate about workplace flu shots and whether you should get them or not. Some will say you shouldn’t and others will say you should. However, it is important to be completely educated on the matter and know what you are putting into your body. Do not let any employer force you into getting one and always be aware of all the options available.