Annotated Bibliography: Myths about Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - Essay Example

Annotated Bibliography: Myths about Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Seasonal Influenza: The Disease.” 8 Sept.2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the credible and most authoritative source for seasonal influenza. The site provided critical, relevant, and updated information about the disease, the viruses, symptoms and severity, and how the flu spreads, among others. The CDC emphasized that ““influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.” (CDC 1) This is the most informative site which could validate the myths I would discuss and refute in my essay.World Health Organization. “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 62 (revised 21 August 2009).” 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2009.The World Health Organization is the governing authority responsible for directing and coordinating health issues within countries belonging to the United Nations system.

The site proffered issues pertinent to global health updates, crises, health standards and norms, policies and support in the assessment of global health trends. One of the most pressing health issues that recently emerged is the H1N1 pandemic which is an offshoot of the influenza virus. In fact, one of the information relayed was “as of current statistics, this virus has caused the death of 1,799 people worldwide with over 182166 hospitalized cases” (WHO 1). This site can be an authoritative source of information which can refute influenza myths in my essay.

American Lung Association. “Myths and Facts: Find out What is Myth and What is Fact When it Comes to Influenza.” 2008. Web. 05 Nov. 2009.The American Lung Association launched a campaign entitled Faces of Influenza which was designed to focus of the disease and to encourage people to get yearly vaccination. The site gives information on who are at risk, on facts people rarely know about influenza, importance of getting immunization, encourages the viewer to tell someone about the information gathered and underscores the role of health care professionals in educating people and protecting themselves against the illness through vaccination.

It itemized nine myths about influenza and gave corresponding facts on this misinformation. This site is a relevant source of authoritative information on the subject of influenza which I can use to debunk the given myths in my essay.