By Peter Dazeley, Dr Oz The Good Life
Q: Help! With all of these different kinds of flu shots, how do you know you're getting the right one?
Oz says: First,
any shot is "the right one," compared to getting none at all. The
traditional flu vaccine stimulates production of antibodies—it's like a
personal trainer for your immune system—for the three main strains of
flu viruses expected this season (that's why it's called a "trivalent"
vaccine, if you want to get technical).
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However,
some companies have come out with a vaccine (including the nasal-spray
type) that protects against a fourth strain. The "quad" vaccine should
be easier to find this season than it was last year. I say get this one
if it's available to you.
In
addition, there's some controversy over the safety of the vaccine
preservative called thimerosal. I'm concerned enough that I'd advise
people to avoid it—especially children and pregnant women. If your
provider has a thimerosal-free shot, that's the one to go for.
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