St. Michael Parents Not Swayed by Flu Vaccine Study

Local parents seem to subscribe to the old addage that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Despite a recent, local study that showed the relative ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine in comparison to other success rates, parents here are sticking to the needle when it comes to the flu shot.

“As a parent, I think of it as my responsibility to protect my child and others from the flu by vaccinating. A lot of it has to do with that he goes to daycare and I want to protect him, other kids, the providers. So we get it, and we’ll keep getting it,” Rogers mom Mary Erickson said.

If pharmaceutical manufacturers are any indication, many of us feel the same way.

This year pharmaceutical manufacturers estimate that there will be 173 million doses of the flu vaccine administered. Most get the vaccine with encouragement from their doctors, public health campaigns and fueled by hopes they won’t become ill with the flu.

But a new study released by the University of Minnesota last week may change some of that public perception. The study, with research done by University of Minnesota infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, claims the flu vaccine isn’t as effective as everyone’s been thinking.

Ideally, vaccines are considered good vaccines when their effective rate is between 85-95 percent effective. This study results show that the vaccine is really only effective 59 percent of the time in adults ages 18-65. The study did not have any reliable results on the vaccine for children except for the Live Vaccine which is the nasal form. In a study of children ages 6 months to age 7, the nasal form of the vaccine was 80 percent effective.

“If I weren’t a parent, I’d probably think about it and research a little more, but this doesn’t change anything for me right now,” Erickson said after hearing about the study.

St. Michael mom of three Lynn Anderson said the study doesn’t change her mind.

“That 59 percent is still better than nothing, my kids and I will still be getting the vaccine," she said.

A doctor's recommendation can go a long way, too.

“I have a lot of faith in my pediatrician, and my brother who [also] is a doctor. Both of them give their children the flu shot and have encouraged me to as well. Winter is full of illness and if there is anything I can do to help prevent it, I will,” said another St. Michael mom, Kelly Ojeda.

Several local clinics are stocked up with flu vaccinations if you're ready to fight the bug now, including Minute Clinic at CVS at the Allina Clinic in St. Michael. Also, Walgreens and other stores, including Target in Rogers and Walmart in Monticello, have vaccinations.

Most are free or below $20 with proof of some form of insurance.