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Flu shots? For them or against ?
Replies
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I started getting flu shots back in the 1990's. Back then health care for non-natives was not all that great, unless of course you lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau or were in the military. ."Bush" Alaska is a petri dish of bugs, viruses, and all sorts of highly communicable diseases. And very few people trust medicine enough to vaccinate against those communicable diseases. The one year I skipped the shot, I spent about nine months fighting off the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia. I have not missed one since even though I am no longer in Alaska. Since I get my shots as early in the season as possible, even though I am confident you cannot get the flu from the vaccine, I figure I am fully covered by the time others start getting sick and could infect me. That is my logic for getting vaccinated, based solely upon my personal experience.2
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Yeah, I'm opposed to injecting mercury into my body. My kids, into their mid-20s, have never been vaccinated. Thank god we live in a supposedly free country where we can make our own medical decisions rather than the government or various busy-bodies.
I know what you mean. I'm also opposed to feeding my kids a mix of two highly flammable gasses.
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The flu, a preventable disease, kills approx 36 000 people a year, flu symptoms hospitalised more than 310 000 people in the usa alone. Healthcare systems are strained, health care wrokers are over worked (im a registered nurse and its hectic and hard emotionally and physically) and healthcare becomes harder to accsess during a flu epidemic. Ebola break out, 11 500 people die and the world goes into mass panic. I'll get the flu shot thanks. Helping the heard5
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Vaccines in general are a wonderful thing, and let me give it to you straight. My three children have been vaccinated for the HPV virus when it first came out, we paid for it, the insurance company did not pay for it at the time, they do now. Why? because you never know.
Now some six/seven years.... I have been Diagnosed with Stage Three Throat cancer from the HPV virus, I have never smoked in my life, I eat a modestly healthy diet (70/30 rule) Drink modestly. Been with my wife for 27 years. The Doctor said I have done everything perfect, there was no way of avoiding this, nothing I could have done. I Will enter into a Seven week Radiation/Chemo treatment at one of the best Hospitals in the country. Luckily it has a 85% cure rate. the HPV virus is in 90% of American adults, it effects 1% of us and another 1% get cancer from it, so I am 1% of 1% to get this nasty thing.
The only thing I can think of as I sit here in pain, that my children have been vaccinated for this cancer, that gives me a silver lining, that they will not have to face this in their lives.
Stop being stupid and get your kids vaccinated.
This makes me so sad
i wish you all the best x 0 -
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Yeah, I'm opposed to injecting mercury into my body. My kids, into their mid-20s, have never been vaccinated. Thank god we live in a supposedly free country where we can make our own medical decisions rather than the government or various busy-bodies.
Well, if you insist on ignoring the evidence about thimerosal, why not just get a single-dose vaccine? Thimerosal is generally found in multi-dose vials.
My guess is that you'll have an excuse not to do that too because this type of decision is made on the basis of emotion, not facts.4 -
Since this seems as good a place as any to ask...
A while ago, my husband and I read an article somewhere that I can't recall exactly or locate that suggested that, in order for your body to continue to produce strong antibodies, it might be a good idea to skip the flu shot every few years (I believe years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons?)
I'm not much of a science brain and, while it seemed reasonable to me - my recollection is that in studies, a diminished ability to produce antibodies was noted in subjects who consistently received the vaccine vs. those who skipped certain rounds - I think it goes against conventional wisdom that getting the shot every year provides a kind of cumulative protection. "I read an article a while ago that I kind of remember" also isn't really compelling evidence on which to make health-related decisions, so it would be great if someone else knows to what I'm referring and can comment.
I get my flu shot every year in the interests of public health, but obviously if there is a benefit to skipping a year once in a while, I would consider doing so.2 -
Since this seems as good a place as any to ask...
A while ago, my husband and I read an article somewhere that I can't recall exactly or locate that suggested that, in order for your body to continue to produce strong antibodies, it might be a good idea to skip the flu shot every few years (I believe years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons?)
I'm not much of a science brain and, while it seemed reasonable to me - my recollection is that in studies, a diminished ability to produce antibodies was noted in subjects who consistently received the vaccine vs. those who skipped certain rounds - I think it goes against conventional wisdom that getting the shot every year provides a kind of cumulative protection. "I read an article a while ago that I kind of remember" also isn't really compelling evidence on which to make health-related decisions, so it would be great if someone else knows to what I'm referring and can comment.
I get my flu shot every year in the interests of public health, but obviously if there is a benefit to skipping a year once in a while, I would consider doing so.
@peleroja not sure if this was it or just another research source reporting on the subject.
https://globalnews.ca/news/1804162/canadian-study-finds-flu-shot-could-increase-risk-of-getting-sick/4 -
never had one.4
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Since this seems as good a place as any to ask...
A while ago, my husband and I read an article somewhere that I can't recall exactly or locate that suggested that, in order for your body to continue to produce strong antibodies, it might be a good idea to skip the flu shot every few years (I believe years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons?)
I'm not much of a science brain and, while it seemed reasonable to me - my recollection is that in studies, a diminished ability to produce antibodies was noted in subjects who consistently received the vaccine vs. those who skipped certain rounds - I think it goes against conventional wisdom that getting the shot every year provides a kind of cumulative protection. "I read an article a while ago that I kind of remember" also isn't really compelling evidence on which to make health-related decisions, so it would be great if someone else knows to what I'm referring and can comment.
I get my flu shot every year in the interests of public health, but obviously if there is a benefit to skipping a year once in a while, I would consider doing so.
I do not know the article you are referring to - but i do know I've worked in medical centre for 8 years and in various other health roles prior to that and a large part of my job is giving flu vaccines - have never heard this recomendation nor is anything of the sort in the Australian Immunisation Guidelines - - the comprehensive reference 'bible' for any vaccine information here.
I also see an obvious flaw in this plan because doing so " in the years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons" - the whole idea of flu vaccine is to get it before the flu season - how will you know in advace which years it is going to be least effective in????
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I've been following this thread pretty much from the start. (I wish I could unfollow it) Why,with all the many responses setting out the pros and cons, are there still people posting saying "I've never had one" or "I never get the flu therefore I don't get the jab"?2
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comptonelizabeth wrote: »I've been following this thread pretty much from the start. (I wish I could unfollow it) Why,with all the many responses setting out the pros and cons, are there still people posting saying "I've never had one" or "I never get the flu therefore I don't get the jab"?
Because reading and/or thinking is hard
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spikeraw22 wrote: »I'm a pediatric pharmacist. There are few things that get me fired up like this debate. I have seen children die of preventable diseases because their parents had read some .com website telling them vaccines are dangerous.
The flu kills people. Period. More than anything, it kills children. The flu vaccine is one of our least effective vaccines, but it IS effective, and the side effects for the general population are tiny. Vaccines are easily the safest medications on the market. You're more at risk of harming your children by giving them tylenol and motrin when they get a fever. It's not even close.
So, if you are unvaccinated, don't think of it as a personal decision. It isn't. For every person who isn't vaccinated, everyone else is at a greater risk of contracting the disease. Kids don't get a choice. You do. Vaccinate your kids. Vaccinate yourself. Not just for your family, but for mine.
I don't remember the last time I used the insightful/inspiring/like/awesome/woo system, normally I just avoid it. But you sir, get an awesome.6 -
I don't get them anymore. The few years that I did, I had never been sicker. I rarely get sick and I I do come down with something my body thankfully fights it well. But those few years with shots were literally horrible. Maybe it was coincidence but it was such a drastic difference that I think not.
Are you claiming that getting vaccinated increased your chance of getting the flu? That is a pretty incredible claim to make. How exactly does that work?2 -
I work in healthcare, haven’t gotten them unless forced at my old facility (it was either get the shot or wear a mask 8 hours a day for three months). Otherwise I have never gotten them, nor will again!
@KylaBlaze It is hard to imagine a more enraging comment to make than this. I very rarely get angry at people on here but that made me angry, I honestly hope that you get fired for the general safety of the patients. Please stop working in healthcare since you clearly don't care and can't think past your own feelings and beliefs to what would best match the ethics and safety policies of where you work. If you really feel that strongly about it have the backbone to stand up for your beliefs and argue the policy with your employer then, see how that goes.
Reminds me why I avoid threads like this one, they just get my so riled up. I mean seriously, if you work in a hospital you are working near people who are immunocomprimised at a facility that can easily provide you with a vaccination and yet you decide in your infinite wisdom to not bother. I am having to restrain myself from using language that would get this post flagged.17 -
paperpudding wrote: »Since this seems as good a place as any to ask...
A while ago, my husband and I read an article somewhere that I can't recall exactly or locate that suggested that, in order for your body to continue to produce strong antibodies, it might be a good idea to skip the flu shot every few years (I believe years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons?)
I'm not much of a science brain and, while it seemed reasonable to me - my recollection is that in studies, a diminished ability to produce antibodies was noted in subjects who consistently received the vaccine vs. those who skipped certain rounds - I think it goes against conventional wisdom that getting the shot every year provides a kind of cumulative protection. "I read an article a while ago that I kind of remember" also isn't really compelling evidence on which to make health-related decisions, so it would be great if someone else knows to what I'm referring and can comment.
I get my flu shot every year in the interests of public health, but obviously if there is a benefit to skipping a year once in a while, I would consider doing so.
I do not know the article you are referring to - but i do know I've worked in medical centre for 8 years and in various other health roles prior to that and a large part of my job is giving flu vaccines - have never heard this recomendation nor is anything of the sort in the Australian Immunisation Guidelines - - the comprehensive reference 'bible' for any vaccine information here.
I also see an obvious flaw in this plan because doing so " in the years where it is least effective were suggested for obvious reasons" - the whole idea of flu vaccine is to get it before the flu season - how will you know in advace which years it is going to be least effective in????
I can address that last part - in my country, predictions are usually provided from a public health agency ahead of the flu season/vaccine availability, as in "This year we estimate that the vaccine will be 45% effective based on predicted strain frequency" or whatever. Some years it's lower, some years higher. Of course, it's just a forecast, but that's where that comes from.
Like I said, I typically get it each year regardless, but since I remember reading that I was just curious if anyone had more info on it or remembered the study.1 -
my motto is A little jab a do ya!!1
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I got my very first flu shot this year and I am 38 years old.. I can only recall getting the flu twice in my life in 38 years as well.. I am just one of the lucky ones (knock on wood)1
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Um same. I work in a theatre, i wear a mask 8 hrs a day and we STILL get the flu vac. This is irresponsible and uneducated for a healthcare worker and NEVER in my years of being a nurse, have i heard ANYTHING remotely similar.3 -
Um same. I work in a theatre, i wear a mask 8 hrs a day and we STILL get the flu vac. This is irresponsible and uneducated for a healthcare worker and NEVER in my years of being a nurse, have i heard ANYTHING remotely similar.
By "a theater" you mean a surgical suite/operating room? (For those in America, where "theater" is where we watch movies.)
Never mind me, I'm just passing through.1 -
cmriverside wrote: »
Um same. I work in a theatre, i wear a mask 8 hrs a day and we STILL get the flu vac. This is irresponsible and uneducated for a healthcare worker and NEVER in my years of being a nurse, have i heard ANYTHING remotely similar.
By "a theater" you mean a surgical suite/operating room? (For those in America, where "theater" is where we watch movies.)
Never mind me, I'm just passing through.
Actually, that was my first reaction too
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I'm for them...I don't want the flu1
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cmriverside wrote: »
Um same. I work in a theatre, i wear a mask 8 hrs a day and we STILL get the flu vac. This is irresponsible and uneducated for a healthcare worker and NEVER in my years of being a nurse, have i heard ANYTHING remotely similar.
By "a theater" you mean a surgical suite/operating room? (For those in America, where "theater" is where we watch movies.)
Never mind me, I'm just passing through.
Yeah, surgical suite/operating room1 -
janejellyroll wrote: »I work in healthcare, haven’t gotten them unless forced at my old facility (it was either get the shot or wear a mask 8 hours a day for three months). Otherwise I have never gotten them, nor will again!
Awesome. So is that because you don't understand herd immunity, is it because you mistakenly think that the vaccine can give you the flu, or are you a conspiracy theorist?
I’m an occupational therapist. I don’t get the flu shot because I use safety measures to prevent getting sick. I have no ailments, I’m healthy, and I just don’t like putting a shot (that’s already been proving to be too weak this year anyways to really help) in my body.
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You have the option to decline and I’ll decline. Just my opinion. Take or leave it.4
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janejellyroll wrote: »I work in healthcare, haven’t gotten them unless forced at my old facility (it was either get the shot or wear a mask 8 hours a day for three months). Otherwise I have never gotten them, nor will again!
Awesome. So is that because you don't understand herd immunity, is it because you mistakenly think that the vaccine can give you the flu, or are you a conspiracy theorist?
I’m an occupational therapist. I don’t get the flu shot because I use safety measures to prevent getting sick. I have no ailments, I’m healthy, and I just don’t like putting a shot (that’s already been proving to be too weak this year anyways to really help) in my body.
So why do you think healthcare workers are often required to get vaccinated then. Did you just explain to them that you are super healthy and take "safety measures" whatever that means? I can't image you wear a mask everytime you go out into public so I'm not sure what safety measure you could possibly take other than vaccination and being generally healthy and well rested. Being healthy and having an active immune system is not guaranteed protection against influenza if you are directly exposed, neither is vaccination for that matter. The thing is we should do whatever we can as members of society to help protect those less fortunate than ourselves. If you work at all in healthcare I certainly hope you care about that.
But hey, keep on just looking out for yourself I guess. Glad to hear you don't work at a hospital, that is good at least. Congrats on not getting sick yet because you haven't received heavy exposure likely because other people have bothered to get vaccinated. Hope you don't work with the elderly at all.6 -
I work strictly with elderly.
I’m going to leave this here.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/855937
Nothing is going to please the trolls5 -
I work strictly with elderly.
I’m going to leave this here.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/855937
Nothing is going to please the trolls
I'm not a "troll" people like you just piss me off. What would "please" me is if you bothered to get fully vaccinated if you are going to work with the elderly for what should be blatantly obvious reasons to anyone with any sort of medical training at all. Because guess what it isn't about you or your feelings its about provding them with the best possible health care and guess what, you being vaccinated is better for them than you not being vaccinated. There is a reason that almost all hospitals and health care providers require their staff to be up to date on their vaccinations, there interest is in their patients not in the whims of their staff....or do you think its all some sort of conspiracy or that you are just super healthy so it doesn't apply to you?
My hope against all hope is that if enough people point out how blatantly immoral you are being that you might possibly rethink your position. But no, chances are you are just going to double-down and call anyone who points it out a "troll" right?
Just ask yourself these simple questions? Would getting vaccinated reduce the chance, no matter how small a reduction, that I become ill in such a way as to put the lives of those I am in charge of providing care for in jeopordy? Is there any possibility that me getting vaccinated would cause harm to the people I am caring for? Is there any possibility that me not getting vaccinated would cause harm to the people I am caring for? What percent chance of an elderly person contracting flu from you and dying is acceptable for avoiding the inconvinence and mild discomfort of getting a shot? Answer those questions honestly and proceed accordingly, or ignore it I guess.
Sounds like your current employer isn't forcing you to get vaccinated but have you bothered to ask them if they would prefer if you got vaccinated? Have you considered that you may want to uphold the general safety practices of your employer rather than just flounce on them because you don't want to do that? I mean on some level you must realize you are in the wrong here right otherwise you would have that conversation with your employer. But yeah, you don't care...I guess you made that clear and I'm not sure why I am bothering at all.14 -
I’m not even going to read all that because you’ve lost it. Chill. He wanted opinions, I gave mine, you don’t need to “preach” what you think I should do with my body. Relax11
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I’m not even going to read all that because you’ve lost it. Chill. He wanted opinions, I gave mine, you don’t need to “preach” what you think I should do with my body. Relax
It isn't about YOU it is about those who are in your care....really, stop thinking about just you here. If you are in health care you have responsibilities beyond yourself. Frankly I don't care that much about you, I'm concerned for the people in your care who you aren't giving a choice to in this matter. Or have you asked them if they prefer if you are vaccinated? Think of them...ask them, please. Or do you disagree that they should have that choice?
I do not "chill" when it comes to literally putting lives at unnecessary risk which apparently you don't think you are doing.8
This discussion has been closed.
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