A happy state while taking flu shot makes vaccination more effective

If you are worried while taking the flu shot (vaccination), chances are it may not be effective.

However, in older people if they are in good mood while taking the flu shot they have a better immune response, meaning the flu shot is effective, a study suggests.

British researchers followed 138 people aged 65 to 85 who got the 2014-15 vaccine.

The researchers used well-validated tests in the weeks before and after their shots – they recorded mood, stress, negative thoughts, sleep patterns, diet and other measures of psychological and physical health and subsequently assessed their antibody response to the vaccine with blood tests at 4 and 16 weeks.

Positive mood was associated with higher blood levels of antibodies to H1N1, a potentially dangerous flu strain, at both 4 and 16 weeks post-vaccination.

This may be true is younger people who take the flu shot – be in a great mood and away from negative thoughts and stress. Also sleep well and have a healthy diet by avoiding junk foods!