English: Hey Doc, I heard…1. …that I don’t need a flu vaccination each year since I had it last year. Is that true?NO. We need to receive a NEW vaccination each year because the STRAINS change each year and the immunity from previous vaccination fades.2. …that hardly anyone dies from the flu. Is that true?NO. In a typical year, thousands of people die from the flu in the U.S. A. In the 2006-2007flu season, more than 20,000 died.3. …that I can get the flu from the flu vaccine. is that true?NO. The virus that is used in the vaccine has been INACTIVATED or SEVERELY WEAKENED.4. …that the flu vaccine contains bad stuff, dangerous thing like mercury, formaldehyde and even antifreeze. Is that true?NO. The ingredients are safe, but if a person has allergies to ingredients found in some vaccines, such as gelatin, they should avoid vaccines with any of those ingredients. Talk with your doctor if you have allergies.5. …that pregnant women shouldn’t get the flu vaccine. Is that true?NO. A pregnant woman should be vaccinated against the flu to lower her miscarriage risk, because influenza can cause miscarriages.6. …that flu vaccines can cause narcolepsy (a sleep disorder with sudden falling asleep). Is that true?NO. The U. S. A. seasonal flu vaccine does not cause narcolepsy.7. …that the flu vaccine can cause Alzheimer’s disease. Is that true?NO. There is no link between the flu vaccination and Alzheimer’s.8. …that if I get the flu, I should ask my physician to prescribe an antibiotic for me to get better. Is that true?NO. Antibiotics can’t treat a viral infection. The flu is a virus.Protect yourself and your family with a flu vaccination this year!Ronald Vandegriff, DOFamily PhysicianBerks Community Health Center