Regardless of personal views, the flu vaccine is an anxiety-inducing subject for #covid_19 patients and #longhaulers. This is because many are concerned that their bodies will not be able to tolerate the vaccine and may cause worsening symptoms.
Setting opinions aside, the flu vaccine is a proven way to protect those with chronic conditions from becoming even more endangered by a flu diagnosis.
As seen with Long Covid, prior precedents are imperative towards understanding risk, and especially when dealing with a novel virus such as #covid. For decades, studies have been conducted on the safety of the flu vaccine within various chronic illness communities such as the HIV/AIDS, ME/CFS, cancer, and other immunodeficient communities. The precedent states that barring an aggressive autoimmune disorder, an allergy to components of the vaccine, pregnancy (where only the flu nasal spray is unsafe), and/or elevated age, the flu vaccine is effective and safe, including for those with chronic conditions.
The flu vaccine is important for these individuals as a flu diagnosis can cause severe outcomes for those with chronic conditions. The risk to yourself and others is *not* getting a flu shot!
To read more search for #chronicillness and #flushot studies.
This resource relates to chronic illness and the vaccine: https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Adult-Flu-Chronic-Call-to-Action-Web-FINAL.pdf
This article discusses #aids and #hiv and the vaccine: https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Adult-Flu-Chronic-Call-to-Action-Web-FINAL.pd
This article discusses #cancer and the vaccine: https://amp.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html
This article discusses #mecfs and the vaccine: https://me-pedia.org/wiki/Influenza_vaccine
This article discusses #copd and the vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/copd.htm
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So while this is a matter of choice and your doctor’s guidance, I hope this is psychologically helpful to Covid patients navigating a potentially new territory of chronic illness and its lifestyle requirements.