Doctors fight false information to encourage flu shots

SAMANTHAWINN
Carolina News & Reporter

Dr. Deborah Greenhouse finds that he has defeated the conspiracy theory linking the common flu vaccine to the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine during his recent days of treating sick young people and conducting health examinations. I did.

The encounter was so disturbing that she tweeted her frustration.

“Today, three different well visits. All three rejected #FluVaccine because of the new theory that the COVID vaccine is packaged and administered as an influenza vaccine without consent. That this is simply not true. I couldn’t convince you. What’s the new pediatrician’s hell? #VaccinesWork “

Greenhouse, a doctor at the Palmetto Pediatric and Youth Clinic in Colombia, was first informed by his family about a Facebook post claiming that seasonal influenza vaccinations contained a weak strain of the coronavirus.

“Parents who believe in this think we are also fooled, so we can’t refute it,” Greenhouse said. “They think that the doctors who are vaccinated against the flu are vaccinated in good faith, but it really contains the COVID vaccine and we don’t even know it.”

She continued. “So there is no fact and there is no science available to discuss that point. It’s just false information. The flu vaccine is the flu vaccine. There is no COVID vaccine approved on the market anyway. How to make a flu vaccine vial It may have been incorporated into, but it will exceed me. “

Facebook has flagged this post as incorrect information, but it has already been “shared” more than 6,000 times on popular social media sites. The COVID-19 vaccine is currently in clinical trials and still requires approval from the Federal Pharmacy.

The greenhouse said skepticism about vaccines is not new.

“There are always parents who believe it doesn’t work. There are always parents who believe that the flu can be caught by injection, but that’s not true because it’s not a live vaccine,” Greenhouse said. “In general, there are always parents who are hesitant about vaccines. They at least try to refute by discussing data, science, research, and facts that actually support the idea that influenza vaccines are the best defense. I’m afraid I can do it. I’m against the flu. “

Routine immunization is declining in South Carolina, according to the SC Health and Environment Administration.

“In the case of the COVID virus, the fear of getting the COVID virus causes fewer people to come to the office and get vaccinated on time, causing major problems as a pediatrician,” said Dr. Rainya Charka, a pediatrician at Rockhill. I think. ” The American Academy of Pediatrics South Carolina Branch Pediatrics and Vaccination Liaison said.

“They don’t want to be around many people and when you’re in the clinic you’re exposed to sick people, so they’re afraid to bring their babies and don’t get vaccinated on time. And now we are like opening the door to losing the immunity we had before we kept these illnesses away. “

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a strict vaccination schedule for all American infants and school-aged children for childhood diseases such as mumps, measles, and chickenpox.

Charka is concerned about the dangers of influenza and coronavirus twins during the upcoming winter season.

“I don’t know what will happen this year, but overwhelming medical facilities such as flu, colds, coughs, congestion, body aches, muscle aches and malaise is a major concern, but the coronavirus is also infected. There are also the same types of symptoms as those like the flu. ” “So there will be overwhelming demand because you can distinguish between the two and come for a visit. I think that’s the biggest and scariest part.”

Greenhouses are afraid that people will continue to relax key social distance measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And when she returns to school, she is worried that the coronavirus and flu will spread further during the winter.

Over the past six years, South Carolina has experienced an average of 140 influenza-related deaths each year, according to DHEC.

“If you think everyone is actually doing that, I think this is actually a very mild flu season. But once again, you look at the pictures of those parties, no, otherwise I think, “said the greenhouse. “If that continues, it could be a really terrible flu season. It’s hard to say.”

The best way to help South Carolina residents stay healthy from the flu and COVID-19 is to stay socially distant, wear a mask, and be vaccinated against the flu. Both Greenhouse and Charka encourage families to search for medical information from trusted sources such as the CDC, World Health Organization, and doctors.

“This year, this may be the most important flu shot in your life,” said Dr. Brian Traxler, DHEC’s Interim Director of Public Health, in a press release. “We have experienced the worst public health crisis in 100 years, and it is more important than ever for each of us to stay as healthy as possible. We are ourselves, our loved ones. And thanks to the essential workers and the first responders. They are all committed to public service as we all endure this pandemic together. “