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Tonnetta Porter, a resident of Alachua, said she had not received a flu shot in four years.
And she does not intend to get one this year either.
Porter, 48, said she had been vaccinated against the flu several years ago. She later felt sick and had muscle pains – symptoms that made her want to never get vaccinated again.
"It really made me sick," she said.
Porter's feeling about the flu vaccine – a negative stigma around influenza that suggests the vaccine can give you the flu or make you sick – is something that UF Health officials are trying to eliminate.
"The flu vaccine can not give you the flu because the virus during the vaccination is completely dead," said Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease physician at UF Health. "If you catch the flu after receiving a flu shot, it was already inside your brew."
Iovine emphasized the importance of being vaccinated against the flu at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Iovine has called the 2017-18 flu season extraordinary.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 180 children died in the United States during the last influenza season – the highest number since a pandemic in 2009. In Florida, eight children died. None of them had been vaccinated against the flu, said Iovine.
"We have seen more cases of influenza, not only here at UF, but at the national level, more than we had seen many years ago," Iovine said.
Iovine said it was too early in the flu season to know whether its severity will be comparable to that of last year or what will be the dominant strains.
While it's unclear what's going on for the 2018-19 season, it's not too early to get ready, she said.
"We are already seeing flu cases in Florida," Iovine said. "It's so important to get vaccinated as soon as possible, because you never know when the flu season is going to peak or how serious the strains are.
"And while we know that some people who get the flu shot will get the flu, these cases are often less serious."
The most-administered vaccine given to patients protects against the four most common influenza strains, Iovine said. She added that the flu vaccine takes about two weeks for a body to respond fully.
For those who get the flu or have flu-like symptoms, Iovine said she encourages them to go to the doctor if they do not feel better within two days.
"If you get sick and do not feel better, you have to call your doctor," she said.
On Thursday, at UF Health's main hospital, several UF Health employees and UF students were vaccinated against influenza.
UF Health strongly encourages all employees to get a flu shot. Those who choose not to be vaccinated will need to wear a surgical mask for one year, starting October 31st.
A container containing about 50% used needles was placed next to certified nurse Holly Nelson, who on Thursday quickly sat down with patients and gave them a flu shot.
UF Health Shands CEO Ed Jimenez made a small cry when he received his flu shot before turning around and laughing at reporters and other health officials.
"Now we have to put the Band-Aid on," Jimenez said, showing a smile.
Nelson said that for most flu vaccines, the whole process only takes a few minutes.
Nelson said personally, she is trying to make sure that a patient feels comfortable before giving them a shot, noting that most nurses understand the nerves before getting poked. .
"We make sure they know we are taking good care of you," Nelson said.
Nelson warned that patients may experience pain around the site of the flu shot.
According to Iovine, a high level of pain is a good sign that a patient's immune system is fighting to destroy the dead flu virus particles used to trigger an immune response to the flu.
Nelson said the pain usually goes away in one to two days.
Although an influenza vaccine prevents the spread of the flu, it does not stop it completely, said Iovine.
Carefully washing your hands and sneezing or coughing in the crook of your elbow are also good practices.
"Our hands touch everything," she said. "We do not want to transmit any infection."
Influenza vaccines are now available at most pharmacies, medical offices and hospitals. Some offer the shot for free.
The Alachua County Public Schools have vaccinated students free of charge with the consent of their parents, using the FluMist nasal vaccine, Iovine said.
"UF Health is committed to ensuring the safety of our patients … our staff is safe and our community is safe," Iovine said. "The best way to do that is to get a flu shot."
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