NC health department introduce 'shot dodgers' TV spot to encourage flu vaccination

There are some people who get a flu shot every year to try to stay healthy, but a new TV spot for the North Carolina health department calls out those who pass on the vaccine.

The Department of Health and Human Service's ad calls the un-vaccinated group "shot dodgers." They offer the same old arguments for not getting a shot, the ad says.

– The multi-tasker. "Well, vaccines for the kids, sure, but who has time after that?"

– The invincible. "I'm quite healthy, so why bother?"

–The skeptic. "Does the flu vaccine even work?"

–The worrywart. "What if it makes me sick?"

"They all dodge the vaccine but don't always dodge the flu," the spot says.

WRAL Health Team's Dr. Allen Mask said anyone can get sick from the flu and infect others. Even otherwise healthy people can potentially experience life-threatening complications from the flu.

Even if the vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing current flu strains, it can lessen the severity of symptoms if a person is infected, Mask said, and it cannot make people sick.

The vaccine contains a dead virus that helps the body recognize and attack the real thing.

Mask said it's not too late to get vaccinated. Once the shot is administered, it takes about two weeks to become fully effective.

Mask said people who don't get the vaccine run the risk of infecting others with the virus, especially those at highest risk of complications, like the elderly, very young children and pregnant women. People with pre-existing chronic illnesses, like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or people with compromised immune systems are also especially vulnerable.

In addition to the flu shot, Mask said good preventive measures during cold and flu season include regularly washing your hands with soap and water and regularly cleaning shared surfaces, like door knobs, phones and keyboards, with a sterilizing wipe.