Is it wise to get the flu vaccine? This question is sparking heated online debates.
Alarmist messages flood the internet, warning against vaccination and accusing governments and pharmaceutical companies of hiding toxic ingredients in swine flu shots—classic conspiracy theories.
Professor Louis Kroes, clinical virology expert at Leiden University Medical Center, is deeply troubled by these 'dubious claims' hitting his inbox. 'It's not the vaccines causing deaths, but these baseless fears stopping people from vaccinating,' he warns. In his view, the flu itself is far riskier than any side effects.
Want to know exactly what's in the flu shot? The full ingredient list is publicly available on the European registration authority EMEA's website.
