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Flu shots? For them or against ?
Replies
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Always have flu jab2
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Yes, my children and I get the flu shot every year, both to protect ourselves and the people in our communities.
To the poster who was worried about egg, mercury, and chrome door handles:
Some people who are egg-allergic can tolerate the flu shot. When my son was egg-allergic his pediatrician and I agreed that getting the flu shot was a better choice than not for him at the time. He outgrew the allergy altogether within the next year. Hey, maybe the flu shot cured his egg allergy! (His RAST #s were already low and trending down by then, and his skin test was already down to a mild reaction.)
There hasn't been mercury in the US flu shot for years.
Whether or not copper door handles have anti-bacterial properties has no effect on whether you'll be exposed to a virus.5 -
Yes, my children and I get the flu shot every year, both to protect ourselves and the people in our communities.
To the poster who was worried about egg, mercury, and chrome door handles:
Some people who are egg-allergic can tolerate the flu shot. When my son was egg-allergic his pediatrician and I agreed that getting the flu shot was a better choice than not for him at the time. He outgrew the allergy altogether within the next year. Hey, maybe the flu shot cured his egg allergy! (His RAST #s were already low and trending down by then, and his skin test was already down to a mild reaction.)
There hasn't been mercury in the US flu shot for years.
Whether or not copper door handles have anti-bacterial properties has no effect on whether you'll be exposed to a virus.
Multi dose vials of the flu shot contain thimerosol which is a Mercury derivative. Those sensitive to Mercury could have a reaction.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm
3 -
Yes, my children and I get the flu shot every year, both to protect ourselves and the people in our communities.
To the poster who was worried about egg, mercury, and chrome door handles:
Some people who are egg-allergic can tolerate the flu shot. When my son was egg-allergic his pediatrician and I agreed that getting the flu shot was a better choice than not for him at the time. He outgrew the allergy altogether within the next year. Hey, maybe the flu shot cured his egg allergy! (His RAST #s were already low and trending down by then, and his skin test was already down to a mild reaction.)
There hasn't been mercury in the US flu shot for years.
Whether or not copper door handles have anti-bacterial properties has no effect on whether you'll be exposed to a virus.
Multi dose vials of the flu shot contain thimerosol which is a Mercury derivative. Those sensitive to Mercury could have a reaction.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm
Thanks, you're right. The medical group I go to uses single-dose preservative-free flu vaccines, and I thought that was all that was used in the US now, but didn't check my facts before posting.4 -
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I am not a science denier or think "doing your research" means reading mommy blogs and watching youtube videos, so of course, pro flu shots.7
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amyrebeccah wrote: »
It's also in eyedrops, nasal spray, and hemorrhoid cream, among many other things.
https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-consumer-products
Yep, which is why for the most part, I can not use those products. Between that and other severe allergies I have, I do a lot of research on any product or medication I have to use, including calling the manufacturer. But seeing as we were talking about vaccines, didn't think it was important to bring up other products.0 -
I can't remember the last time I had the flu, it was many many years ago, and if I ever get a cold its only mild and passes quickly and Ive NEVER had a flu shot. My husband is the same
The chap that works for us get the shot every year without fail and also gets the flu every year without fail too with days off work and lots of grumbling.3 -
I get the flu vaccine every year. I notice some fatigue over the next couple of days after the shot but I get nothing serious.
Some fatigue is better than the flu, imo.
And I REALLY like needles.
2 -
I can't remember the last time I had the flu, it was many many years ago, and if I ever get a cold its only mild and passes quickly and Ive NEVER had a flu shot. My husband is the same
The chap that works for us get the shot every year without fail and also gets the flu every year without fail too with days off work and lots of grumbling.
Well, I'll take that anecdote about three total humans as science.
Nope.
I get my flu shot every year and don't get the flu.10 -
I get the flu vaccine every year. I notice some fatigue over the next couple of days after the shot but I get nothing serious.
Some fatigue is better than the flu, imo.
And I REALLY like needles.
This is your immune system building up in response to the vaccine. Totally normal. That, and a sore arm.
Very pro-vaxxer here!
7 -
DeficitDuchess wrote: »It's very simple. The flu (Influenza) is caused by a virus. No amount of working out, or eating this or that is going to protect you from a virus. Unless you are a newborn, everyone has had the flu before. They might not know it, they might have mistaken it for a bad cold, but like the common cold, no one is immune from it, so, in my opinion, it only makes sense to get the flu shot. Why take a chance on getting sick if you can avoid it? JMO.
I disagree, if you survive a strain of something severe; it's possible to build an immunity to it, less severe strains & to other illnesses also! A perfect example is the Bubonic Plague, those that survived it passed along an immunity to AIDS; to their decedents via Delta 32!
Immunizations are the technological equivalence of passing immunity to a larger population. There is no legitimate argument against it unless you believe in non-intervention.
1. Bubonic plague is bacterial (Yersinia pestis) - not viral and easily resolved with antibiotics.
2. No one is immune to AIDS10 -
jordanchamzuk wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »jordanchamzuk wrote: »I'm against them for me personally because the one year I got a flu shot, I got the worst case of flu I've probably ever had about a week after getting the shot. I rarely ever get sick, but I sure did that year. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but I've never gotten one again since.
This touched on my main question I'm trying to get out of the "negative" effects. I've had patients who were healthy their whole life then suggested the shot due to the increase of their age and "at risk" homes, then a few months later they are diagnosed with somthing way worse then an influenza. Now is this coincidence or are the other chemicals at charge causing these diagnostics
It's almost certainly a coincidence. People are going to get ill. Some of those people will have had flu shots. That doesn't mean there is a connection.
Playing the Devils advocate. In the case of guillain-barré syndrome one of the questions to lead a physician to that diagnosis is weather you have had the flu shot.
Since influenza itself can be a contributing factor to Guillain-Barre, avoiding the flu vaccine for this reason makes zero sense.5 -
I've been getting one every year since my wife works in Healthcare and she brings home all the germs. Its even more important now that we have a newborn. I should note I have not gotten the flu since being vaccinated (i believe its also been a while since they guessed wrong on the strain).
We are about to put up the 'Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200' sign on anyone who wants to hold or touch Eli who is not vaccinated.
Ever since the Measles outbreak in CA the anit vax nonsense seems to have died down. A little harder to defend that position when someone now has to live with the knowledge that their child has died due to their poor choices of not vacinating against a completely preventable disease.10 -
When I worked in a hospital I got one every year- I was a high risk category. Now that I do not work in a hospital, I don't get one. I am not in a high risk category- young, healthy, no auto immune issues.
There is no harm in getting a vaccine (as long as you aren't allergic to the preservative in it, my one co-worker was and had to wear a mask during flu season)1 -
DeficitDuchess wrote: »It's very simple. The flu (Influenza) is caused by a virus. No amount of working out, or eating this or that is going to protect you from a virus. Unless you are a newborn, everyone has had the flu before. They might not know it, they might have mistaken it for a bad cold, but like the common cold, no one is immune from it, so, in my opinion, it only makes sense to get the flu shot. Why take a chance on getting sick if you can avoid it? JMO.
I disagree, if you survive a strain of something severe; it's possible to build an immunity to it, less severe strains & to other illnesses also! A perfect example is the Bubonic Plague, those that survived it passed along an immunity to AIDS; to their decedents via Delta 32!
Immunizations are the technological equivalence of passing immunity to a larger population. There is no legitimate argument against it unless you believe in non-intervention.
1. Bubonic plague is bacterial (Yersinia pestis) - not viral and easily resolved with antibiotics.
2. No one is immune to AIDS
About the AIDS thing. I have an online friend who has AIDS and an autoimmune disease (AIDS came first). The human body is very complex0 -
I can't remember the last time I had the flu, it was many many years ago, and if I ever get a cold its only mild and passes quickly and Ive NEVER had a flu shot. My husband is the same
The chap that works for us get the shot every year without fail and also gets the flu every year without fail too with days off work and lots of grumbling.
Many people will never get the flu due to their (lack of) proximity to other people or strong immune systems, or good hygiene or ::insert variable here::. Many will get some strain other than what is vaccinated against in any given year.
The chap that works for you may just get a convenience flu. I mean, lots of people find reasons not to go to work. I worked with one lady who got the Saturday flu eight or ten times a year. I just stopped scheduling her for weekends. Problem solved.
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singingflutelady wrote: »DeficitDuchess wrote: »It's very simple. The flu (Influenza) is caused by a virus. No amount of working out, or eating this or that is going to protect you from a virus. Unless you are a newborn, everyone has had the flu before. They might not know it, they might have mistaken it for a bad cold, but like the common cold, no one is immune from it, so, in my opinion, it only makes sense to get the flu shot. Why take a chance on getting sick if you can avoid it? JMO.
I disagree, if you survive a strain of something severe; it's possible to build an immunity to it, less severe strains & to other illnesses also! A perfect example is the Bubonic Plague, those that survived it passed along an immunity to AIDS; to their decedents via Delta 32!
Immunizations are the technological equivalence of passing immunity to a larger population. There is no legitimate argument against it unless you believe in non-intervention.
1. Bubonic plague is bacterial (Yersinia pestis) - not viral and easily resolved with antibiotics.
2. No one is immune to AIDS
About the AIDS thing. I have an online friend who has AIDS and an autoimmune disease (AIDS came first). The human body is very complex
AIDS is not a result of HIV (as the masses understand).
I cannot remember the PhD, but he was demonized in the 90's with his groundbreaking work in AIDS research. He hypothesized that AIDS was not due to HIV onset, but due to an over-stimulation of receptor sites aggravated by years of drug overuse. He was absolutely correct and many people diagnosed did not contract HIV. Five of the eight HIV vaccines in use today are a direct result from his research.1 -
I have gotten them in the past especially when I was traveling the world for work. In the last few years though I have not gotten one. I know they work and protect against the main strands that are out there, but personally I would rather take my chances. If I get the flu I may hate life for a while, but my body will naturally build an immunity to it.
My girlfriend disagrees and argues with me on this topic every year. She works in healthcare and gets one just so she doesn't get it from a patient or possible get it herself and spreads it to the elderly clients she has.2 -
Against. No guarantee that the virus you are exposing yourself to is the strain that will hit you.
Lowering your immune system for a chance of immunity to the wrong strain just makes you more susceptible to other things while your body develops resistance to that strain.
The flu isn't like measles or polio.
You'll live if you catch the flu and your quality of life will not be impacted for the long-term.
Maybe if you are elderly, etc. it is more dangerous to catch the flu, but I am talking about myself now.
I have never had one and I cannot recall the last time I had the flu.
Your mileage may vary.7 -
I've been getting one every year since my wife works in Healthcare and she brings home all the germs. Its even more important now that we have a newborn. I should note I have not gotten the flu since being vaccinated (i believe its also been a while since they guessed wrong on the strain).
We are about to put up the 'Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200' sign on anyone who wants to hold or touch Eli who is not vaccinated.
Ever since the Measles outbreak in CA the anit vax nonsense seems to have died down. A little harder to defend that position when someone now has to live with the knowledge that their child has died due to their poor choices of not vacinating against a completely preventable disease.
So you would prevent a family member from touching or holding your child if they couldn't be vaccinated due to allergies? You really ask everyone before holding your don if they have been vaccinated?
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singingflutelady wrote: »DeficitDuchess wrote: »It's very simple. The flu (Influenza) is caused by a virus. No amount of working out, or eating this or that is going to protect you from a virus. Unless you are a newborn, everyone has had the flu before. They might not know it, they might have mistaken it for a bad cold, but like the common cold, no one is immune from it, so, in my opinion, it only makes sense to get the flu shot. Why take a chance on getting sick if you can avoid it? JMO.
I disagree, if you survive a strain of something severe; it's possible to build an immunity to it, less severe strains & to other illnesses also! A perfect example is the Bubonic Plague, those that survived it passed along an immunity to AIDS; to their decedents via Delta 32!
Immunizations are the technological equivalence of passing immunity to a larger population. There is no legitimate argument against it unless you believe in non-intervention.
1. Bubonic plague is bacterial (Yersinia pestis) - not viral and easily resolved with antibiotics.
2. No one is immune to AIDS
About the AIDS thing. I have an online friend who has AIDS and an autoimmune disease (AIDS came first). The human body is very complex
AIDS is not a result of HIV (as the masses understand).
I cannot remember the PhD, but he was demonized in the 90's with his groundbreaking work in AIDS research. He hypothesized that AIDS was not due to HIV onset, but due to an over-stimulation of receptor sites aggravated by years of drug overuse. He was absolutely correct and many people diagnosed did not contract HIV. Five of the eight HIV vaccines in use today are a direct result from his research.
How did this doctor explain AIDS in people who never used drugs or used them rarely? And what do you mean when you say many people diagnosed never contracted HIV? They were diagnosed as HIV positive, but never contracted HIV? Or did you mean that many people who are HIV Positive have not contracted AIDS?2 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?1 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »
1. Many people who think they have the flu when they get the flu shot have never actually had the flu. It's like a headache--some people think their headaches are migraines until they have a migraine. The magnitude is just different. You feel run-down, you feel bad, you may even get sick. But it's not as bad as the actual flu and certainly not life-threatening the way the flu is.JamestheLiar wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?
2. For people who actually get the flu after the flu shot, they are either: (a) getting it before the shot's efficacy would have kicked in (ie, they get it three days after but the flu shot actually takes 2 weeks to improve your immune system) and it's a coincidence, or (b)they got a strain that the shot didn't immunize against.
3. Do you go around asking every healthy person you know if they've had a flu shot? Because most people who think they get the flu after the shot are pretty vocal about it, and most people who have good experiences just kind of go about their business.
so ... that's a "No" from you?0 -
JamestheLiar wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »
1. Many people who think they have the flu when they get the flu shot have never actually had the flu. It's like a headache--some people think their headaches are migraines until they have a migraine. The magnitude is just different. You feel run-down, you feel bad, you may even get sick. But it's not as bad as the actual flu and certainly not life-threatening the way the flu is.JamestheLiar wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?
2. For people who actually get the flu after the flu shot, they are either: (a) getting it before the shot's efficacy would have kicked in (ie, they get it three days after but the flu shot actually takes 2 weeks to improve your immune system) and it's a coincidence, or (b)they got a strain that the shot didn't immunize against.
3. Do you go around asking every healthy person you know if they've had a flu shot? Because most people who think they get the flu after the shot are pretty vocal about it, and most people who have good experiences just kind of go about their business.
so ... that's a "No" from you?
Just read the thread.1 -
cmriverside wrote: »JamestheLiar wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »
1. Many people who think they have the flu when they get the flu shot have never actually had the flu. It's like a headache--some people think their headaches are migraines until they have a migraine. The magnitude is just different. You feel run-down, you feel bad, you may even get sick. But it's not as bad as the actual flu and certainly not life-threatening the way the flu is.JamestheLiar wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?
2. For people who actually get the flu after the flu shot, they are either: (a) getting it before the shot's efficacy would have kicked in (ie, they get it three days after but the flu shot actually takes 2 weeks to improve your immune system) and it's a coincidence, or (b)they got a strain that the shot didn't immunize against.
3. Do you go around asking every healthy person you know if they've had a flu shot? Because most people who think they get the flu after the shot are pretty vocal about it, and most people who have good experiences just kind of go about their business.
so ... that's a "No" from you?
Just read the thread.
Got it0 -
I usually snark at the idea of being "triggered" and avoiding situations that "trigger" you. Honestly though, I have to admit, I get a bit "triggered" over this kind of thing. I just get so pissed off at the amount of frankly unwarranted distrust people have for the public health sector and this flippant attitude they take over vaccines. Vaccines...save...lives. They save lives based on the amount of overall compliance that society has in recieving the vaccines. It is a civic duty to get vaccinated. You feeling like you are a tough Ox who won't get sick anyway has nothing to do with that. The belief that vaccines are some sort of profit driven conspiracy is as ridiculous as chem-trails. The idea that you know better than the entire medical community cuz there was that one time where your friend got vaccinated and got sick after so I guess its not worth it somehow. What...the...hell. The medical community, the scientific community and all of the pulbic health sector isn't just making this up for fun okay, its important to get vaccinated...really. Get vaccinated...the end.
I'm just going to not read anymore of this to avoid the inevitable of me eventually just ripping into someone hard.30 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »JamestheLiar wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »
1. Many people who think they have the flu when they get the flu shot have never actually had the flu. It's like a headache--some people think their headaches are migraines until they have a migraine. The magnitude is just different. You feel run-down, you feel bad, you may even get sick. But it's not as bad as the actual flu and certainly not life-threatening the way the flu is.JamestheLiar wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?
2. For people who actually get the flu after the flu shot, they are either: (a) getting it before the shot's efficacy would have kicked in (ie, they get it three days after but the flu shot actually takes 2 weeks to improve your immune system) and it's a coincidence, or (b)they got a strain that the shot didn't immunize against.
3. Do you go around asking every healthy person you know if they've had a flu shot? Because most people who think they get the flu after the shot are pretty vocal about it, and most people who have good experiences just kind of go about their business.
so ... that's a "No" from you?
Ah well, honestly thought you were interested in an actual discussion.
Your premise is faulty, and therefore your conclusion is invalid. So no.
I was honestly asking a question. Wrong forum, I guess.1 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »JamestheLiar wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »JamestheLiar wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »
1. Many people who think they have the flu when they get the flu shot have never actually had the flu. It's like a headache--some people think their headaches are migraines until they have a migraine. The magnitude is just different. You feel run-down, you feel bad, you may even get sick. But it's not as bad as the actual flu and certainly not life-threatening the way the flu is.JamestheLiar wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Never had one. Don't plan on getting one any time soon but when I'm older I might need them.
I don't view vaccines as being for yourself, they are for the community. Its a societal thing. I don't get a flu shot because I am super worried that I am going to get deathly ill from the flu, I get a flu shot because I view it as part of the protective shield helping stave off potentially life threatening diseases from the community as a whole. Not because I am old but because I might be around people who are.
I get the TDAP vaccine because I'm occassionally around children, not because I'm worried about pertussus for myself. I get the flu shot for similar reasons.
I view it as a civic duty. Unless I have a very good reason to not get one I get one and to date I haven't had a good reason to not get one. I have medical insurance so its 100% free, so why wouldn't I?
With everything its a cost:benefit analysis
Cost: No money. No risk of illness (other posters are right you cannot get sick from a flu vaccine).
Benefit: Possibly avoid the flu yourself. Avoid transmitting the flu to others.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
I have a question, and I'll admit that I did not read this thread, so it my already have been addressed. The fact is, I've never viewed the flu shot in the same manner as the person I quoted above, and his/her view makes a lot of sense in the Arena of Vaccines as a whole. However, unlike most other vaccines, almost everyone I know actually contracts the flu when they get the flu shot. Doesn't that negate the whole "protective shield" argument?
2. For people who actually get the flu after the flu shot, they are either: (a) getting it before the shot's efficacy would have kicked in (ie, they get it three days after but the flu shot actually takes 2 weeks to improve your immune system) and it's a coincidence, or (b)they got a strain that the shot didn't immunize against.
3. Do you go around asking every healthy person you know if they've had a flu shot? Because most people who think they get the flu after the shot are pretty vocal about it, and most people who have good experiences just kind of go about their business.
so ... that's a "No" from you?
Ah well, honestly thought you were interested in an actual discussion.
Your premise is faulty, and therefore your conclusion is invalid. So no.
I was honestly asking a question. Wrong forum, I guess.
Apparently, since a lengthy, thought-out answer wasn't good enough for you.
I'm not trying to be obtuse. I'm sure you're answer was a very good one, and I'm sure you're right that my question had a faulty premise and an invalid conclusion. I'll read the forum and see if anyone else asked the question better and got an answer.0
This discussion has been closed.
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