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Flu shots are necessary and it is important that one should have it every year. Doctors have told these to patients time and again. But lately, more and more parents think otherwise. UPI reported that according to a new study, American parents don't get their kids flu shots because they find it unnecessary.

Dr. Scott Field of the University of Alabama School of Medicine led the study. He said, "The first and most common reason could encompass a belief that risk for contracting influenza is low in their family as well as that the vaccine offers little protection."

It can be that individuals who never had the flu themselves underestimate the potential severity. According to the study made in the 2012-2013 flu season, researchers interviewed 131 parents. Their children range from 9 months to 18 years of age. The children's history of flu and flu vaccinations, as well as why their children were not vaccinated, and if they still plan to have their kids vaccinated for the upcoming flu season were among the questions.

UPI reported the top three reasons that came up according to the study were the following:

• Such vaccination was unnecessary

• They were afraid of possible side effects

• Not remembering to have the flu vaccine

These results of the study were published in the American Journal of Infection Control in October. What many parents do not realize however is the disease can be dangerous. Last flu season 970,000 people were hospitalized because of this. Furthermore, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there we a total of 40 million flu cases.

Washington's Top News helped lay out the facts.

Who Should Get the Shot?

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that individuals as young as 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot every season. In addition, Dr. Amy Edwards, doctor of Pediatric Infectious Disease at the University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital said, "anybody that doesn't want to take two weeks off for a bad case of the flu" ought to get vaccinated.

When To Get the Shot

Edwards said that the CDC recommends the month of October because you don't know when transmission begins.

Potency of Nasal Spray Flu Vaccines

Right now, the CDC does not recommend the nasal spray because it does not appear to be as effective in preventing the flu compared to the shot. This, according to recent studies.

Is the Flu Shot Effective?

Edwards said that there are some years when the vaccine is much better at preventing the flu compared to other years. Certainly, you are always getting protection.

What To Do When You Contact The Flu

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical center said that people with underlying complications like heart or breathing problems over 65 years old should go to their doctor immediately if they show flu symptoms. He added that flu is tricky since you can feel just a little bit sick in the beginning. Then all of a sudden, you crash. He said that antiviral medication "can ameliorate the severity of the illness, it will make you feel better soon and it will make it less likely you spread disease from others."

Can You Develop Flu from the Flu Shot?

No.

For more of Flu Shots news and updates, keep it here on Counselheal. Hit us with your feedback in the comments below.

Also read: Alternative Treatments Linked to Skipping Flu Shots