🎙Ask a Doc: What is the Risk vs Benefit of Flu Vaccinations Ep 144

October 11, 2023

🎙Ask a Doc: What is the Risk vs Benefit of Flu Vaccinations Ep 144

Episode Transcript

Ever wondered how critical getting a flu vaccine really is? What if the decision could be easier than you think? Join us as we explore this pressing issue on MedEvidence with our host, the seasoned cardiologist and medical researcher, Dr. Michael Koren. This episode takes you through a comprehensive risk versus benefits analysis essential when considering vaccination, making the process less daunting and more personalized.

Within the world of healthcare, exposure risks are as significant as personal health risks. Listen as Dr. Koren lays out these complexities, painting a vivid picture of the various contexts that could enhance your exposure risk. From healthcare workers to those with a history of chronic diseases, the discussion brings to light who benefits most from the flu vaccine. Intriguingly, Dr. Koren also brings to the table why a healthy, younger population may not necessarily need the vaccine. Eager to make an informed decision about the flu vaccine? This episode has got you covered. Tune in.

Recording Date: September 8, 2023

Be a part of advancing science by participating in clinical research

Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the MedEvidence! podcast to be notified when new episodes are released.

Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

Powered by ENCORE Research Group
Music: Storyblocks - Corporate Inspired

Thank you for listening!

Education News Science

Show Transcript

See full episode transcriptTranscript is autogenerated by AI

Narrator: 0:01

Welcome to MedEvidence, where we help you navigate the truth behind medical research with unbiased evidence, proven facts powered by ENCORE Research Group and hosted by cardiologist and top medical researcher, Dr. Michael Koren. Dr. Koren, a MedEvidence listener, asked are you recommending flu vaccines for your patients?

Dr. Michael Koren: 0:22

Great question, and the simple answer is I recommend them for the patients who need them. So who are the patients who need them? Well, again, with all vaccine type of decision making, you look at risk versus benefits and the risks are twofold. You have your personal health risk or your medical risk and you have your exposure risk. So the exposure risk is who you're hanging out with. So if you're a healthcare worker, like me, you're going to hospitals, you're dealing with a lot of sick people. That's a higher exposure risk. If you're in a job where you're exposed to a lot of people and it's hard to protect yourself, that's an exposure risk. One of the exposure risks that just came up was working in a meat packing plant. So there's a very famous case in a Iowa meat packing plant where lots of people got COVID because they were crammed together, working closely, side by side. So that would be considered an exposure risk. Your personal medical risk, of course, is based on the elements of your medical history. Do you have asthma? Do you have diabetes? Do you have a history of cancer? People who are in that situation should be more likely to get a vaccine to protect themselves. If you're a healthy person, you don't need to necessarily get a vaccine because if you do get influenza, chances are it's not going to be too severe and there's also products in the market to help you with the medication should you start to develop symptoms of influenza. So there is a backstop. People that are older tend to have a worse time with influenza. So in general, people over age 65, I would generally recommend that they get the vaccine. Again, people that have heart disease or my patients that are over age 50, I would generally recommend getting the vaccine. My younger patients that maybe have palpitations or other relatively minor cardiac issues don't necessarily need to get a flu vaccine. So again, look at your medical risk, look at your exposure risk, work with your doctor and define that risk and then make that decision with your physician. But for my patients, the high-risk people do get it.

Narrator: 2:20

Thanks for joining the MedEvidence Podcast. To learn more, head over to medevidence. com or subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Digital Dispatch Podcast Podcast Artwork Image

MedEvidence! Truth Behind the Data

Dr. Michael Koren, Michelle McCormick

Welcome to the MedEvidence podcast, hosted by Dr. Michael Koren and Michelle McCormick. MedEvidence, where we help you navigate the real truth behind medical research with both a clinical and research perspective. In this podcast, we will have discussions with physicians that have extensive experience in patient care and research. How do you know that something works? In medicine, we conduct clinical trials to see if things work! Now, let’s get to the Truth Behind the Data.