Almost 60 percent of health care workers do not receive the flu vaccine. That’s a shocking number.

Manoj Jain explores the reasons in his regular Washington Post piece. He debunks common myths, including the fear of side effects, “in particular the misconception that the dead virus the vaccine contains can cause disease.”

It’s pure coincidence that people get sick after receiving the shot, but the “average American is likely to blame the vaccine.”

Another interesting observation is that those in health care may believe they are too healthy to get the flu. Studies show that up to 26 percent had evidence of influenza virus in their blood, and fewer than half recalled being ill. However, they are still contagious and able to infect patients with the virus.

It makes a difference, especially in a hospital setting where transmission rates decrease are more people are vaccinated.

Do your part and get the shot.

topics: flu shot, manoj jain