OT Flu Shot Yes/No?

[jibsey]

I don’t think there is an argument among doctors and research scientists about whether it’s beneficial to get flu shots for the vast majority of people. But hey this is a free country and there are a lot of people who still smoke, don’t listen to their doctors and go their own way. Some of them will be lucky. Flu can kill people and I know that is true.

 

[David 76]

Every time I got the flu or even a cold, I ended up with bronchitis or pneumonia. You bet I get the shot. No troubles the last few years.

 

[tzznandrew]

Even if you do get the flu after getting the shot, the link isn't causal, and the experience isn't as bad as the full flu since your immune system has braced for it.

 

[Kitaman]

For most folks, getting a flu shot isn’t about keeping you from getting sick. It’s about keeping at risk populations like babies and the elderly from getting sick

I'm fortunate not to be susceptible to flu or colds, but my wife is a diabetic and she gets the flu shot annually. Her recovery is more prolonged and risky. If I get a shot and it will protect her and others, then its worth considering.

What I don't understand is that if I rarely get the flu (once every 8 or so years) then how am I putting at risk the vulnerable population? Could I be a silent carrier or something? Or by having the shot I am lowering my risk and consequently the risk of others?

 

[Edward Sargent]

For most folks, getting a flu shot isn’t about keeping you from getting sick. It’s about keeping at risk populations like babies and the elderly from getting sick

Your rationale is not scientifically correct. Yes there are at risk populations but with so much of our population living in cities it is important to reduce the penetration into healthy populations as well. Again using car insurance analogy one would only get insurance if you were an underage or elderly driver?

 

[CL82]

As a pharmacist, second UconnPhil above me. It’s really about herd immunity in vulnerable populations. Although the science on that is a little iffy. If you have little ones or are possibly going to expose a vulnerable population then I would say yes. If not and you are young and healthy, then maybe not.

What's the downside? $20 a year? I'll spend that for the good of the herd.

 

[storrsroars]

For most folks, getting a flu shot isn’t about keeping you from getting sick. It’s about keeping at risk populations like babies and the elderly from getting sick

So you're suggesting to not get a flu shot, hang around elderly people and weak babies and watch them contract the flu and die. Resulting in a population of younger, genetically stronger individuals.

Seems that would reduce healthcare costs for the rest of us, no?

You've solved the healthcare cost crisis!

 

[Deepster]

I have the superhuman immune system of ten men. Never been sick. Ever.

 

[RichZ]

If you are around old people or really young people (or people with immune deficiency issues) you really should.

How about if you are old people?

Years ago, I took my Doctor's advice and got the flu shot. That year, I got the flu worse than I'd ever had it in my life. (I'd only ever had a flu once before that, to my recollection). So from then on, I refused to take it.

Until last year. My GP urged me to take it last year, knowing that I refuse it every year. It was already half way through the flu season and some blood work came back with results he didn't like, so I had to see him again. Nothing to do with the flu, but while I was there, he reminded me that I was 71, and this particular strain for flu seemed to want to kill old people. I still refused. But he sent me to a specialist for my thyroid (regarding the questionable test results referenced above, and an Xray that he ordered). I call her Doctor Hottie. Doctor Hottie convinced me to get a flu shot.

So I got one again this year. Oddly enough, I got even older since the last one. Doctor Hottie will be proud of me when I see her for a follow up next month.

 

[metsfan2323]

Is there a mercury preservative in the shot? If yes, then no freaking way!

 

[ScottBonz]

Is there a mercury preservative in the shot? If yes, then no freaking way!

No. There hasn’t been mercury or thimerosol in vaccine at any significant levels in quite a while.

 

[ScottBonz]

I don’t think there is an argument among doctors and research scientists about whether it’s beneficial to get flu shots for the vast majority of people. But hey this is a free country and there are a lot of people who still smoke, don’t listen to their doctors and go their own way. Some of them will be lucky. Flu can kill people and I know that is true.

There isn’t an argument of it being beneficial to the individual but there is some solid evidebce that the herd immunity cited in mandatory requirements at places such as hospitals is not that strong.

 

[ScottBonz]

What's the downside? $20 a year? I'll spend that for the good of the herd.

Exactly. But some people don’t....because who knows. He’ll, I had to tell (let’s be serious, I asked) like 3 times to do it.

 

[metsfan2323]

No. There hasn’t been mercury or thimerosol in vaccine at any significant levels in quite a while.

what does "at any significant levels" mean?

 

[ScottBonz]

what does "at any significant levels" mean?

What does if yes no freaking way mean? Significant means significant. As in, it’s not significant.

 

[ScottBonz]

No. Never gotten the flu shot, never gotten the flu (and I work with kids).

Also the shot only protects against a certian strand of the flu that is, well, just an educated guess made prior to the actual flu season happening so you could still get the flu. Overall I trust my immune system by pumping it full of vitamin c and other good foods.

We found the reason those companies stay in business. Keep wasting that cash at the pharmacy. Vitamin C...

 

[Yardigan]

What's the downside? $20 a year? I'll spend that for the good of the herd.

They're actually free all over the place here. Local CVS deal is...get a flu shot (free) and get a coupon for $5 off $20 purchase at the store.

 

[metsfan2323]

What does if yes no freaking way mean? Significant means significant. As in, it’s not significant.

So you are now saying there is a mercury based preservative after you just said there isn't. The problem with "not a significant level" is who determines what is significant and is there an accumulation hazard if you get the flu shot every year.

 

[jdb50]

what does "at any significant levels" mean?

Do you drink town water? It might have fluoride in it. Are you related to Joe Markley? Or... are you Joe Markley?

 

[CL82]

@Yardigan I probably should do that. I usually get my check up late summer or fall. When they say 'flu shot?' I say "sure." Ironically, this is pretty much the same thing that happens when my friend's wife takes out the tequila.

 

[metsfan2323]

Do you drink town water? It might have fluoride in it. Are you related to Joe Markley? Or... are you Joe Markley?

I stopped drinking town water in 1992.

 

[FartMan69]

I stopped drinking town water in 1992.

It turns the frogs gay I don’t blame you

 

[Rocktheworld]

I provide direct patient care in a hospital so I either get a shot or have to wear a mask, not much of a choice

But you really really should anyway, for several reasons already posted

 

[jdb50]

Until you live with someone who has had it or gotten the flu yourself it is easy to say why bother. Missing multiple days of work and the long term lung issues/cough are nothing like just having a cold or sinus infection. Get the shot. It might help prevent cancer from all the Round Up we get from our food supply.

 

[Vuce]

We get flu shots free every year at work (and I don’t work with children or elderly populations). Most people there line up and get them because why not. Doesn’t hurt and can help prevent it.