Editorial: Get jab and avoid danger

Will you get the flu jab?

So long, summer, it was great seeing you again. Are you sure you couldn't stay longer?

It's now that time of year where it's chilly in the mornings and evenings, but can still be really hot during the day.

As the sun gets up later and goes to bed earlier, thoughts are starting to turn to things like winter sports for the kids and homemade soup for dinner.

And flu jabs.

It's probably not so surprising that many people avoid the needle. It's a needle. Enough said.

But while that's probably a poor reason for not getting vaccinated against influenza, there are plenty of people actively avoiding the jab for much worse reasons.

A common excuse is that the vaccination will make them more sick than the flu itself.

That's probably like not buying house insurance because the premiums could be more costly than replacing your burnt-down home. Really?

Let's remember the 2009 season saw 49 deaths from flu, including several young adults with no underlying health conditions.

Now's the time to think about getting the jab, for your own sake and for those around you. As we reported yesterday, almost half of Kiwi employers say staff turn up to work sick when they should be at home.

You bunch of martyrs. Unfortunately, your dedication to the job risks making your colleagues crook as well. Much easier not to get sick in the first place.

Influenza is no fun - fever, headaches, body aches and pains.

Wouldn't you rather have the inconvenience of a quick jab than all of that?