Flu Shot

[MasterSolenoid]

The last time I got the Flu was 35 years ago.
I'm still looking for the person who gave it to me, and when I find them, BANG …. POW …… KABOOM

I have never had a Flu shot (ever), but last Week decided this Year I will.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted by Smokescreen
....it is also surprising what washing your hands and staying ways from people the are hacking and wheezing will do.



You mean the ones who didn't get their shots ....

 

[Shannow]

Was fun last winter down here

Watching outspoken people wander around with the aftereffects of their shot. low fever, lethargy, brain fog, irritability

Then watching probably 1/4 of them get the flu anyway.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by irv
Seen too many people get real sick after getting the flu shot, my wife was one of them who got them for years and ended up sick. 3 years ago she quit getting them and hasn't had the flu since.

I'm sure there are articles that read the opposite of this, but this and my wife's experience with them is enough for me to stay away from them.
https://thewellnesswayclinics.com/5-research-based-reasons-avoid-flu-shot/


As mentioned earlier, the flu shot only has protection against 3-4 strains of the flu. It's still possible to get the flu if there's some other strain floating around.

Sure, there's other articles, it's called science. There's a certain percentage that's effective. You just have to play the odds. Odds are that 95%+ of the time a seat belt will save your life, but there's that small percentage where you will be thrown clear and the seat belt might kill you. What odds are you planning on playing?

I used to get sick too, but several years ago decided to be really careful about rubbing eyes and washing my hands all the time especially after shaking hands with someone. There are just too many surfaces you touch all the time like door knobs, light switches, refrigerator door handles, etc that are easy breeding grounds for germs. It's just a coincidence if you happen to get the flu after the flu shot.

Never gotten sick from the flu shot and already gotten mine. How's that for pro flu shot testimonials?

Testimonials are the weakest form of evidence. That's probably how spontaneous generation became a popular belief.

 

[DBMaster]

How do you all feel about the concept of "herd immunity?"

 

[vavavroom]

Anyone who carries the flu virus may directly or indirectly contribute to another person's death by spreading the illness. Keep in mind you can pass on the flu before or without ever having symptoms. The numbers for annual flu-related deaths can easily be looked up. If you know people might die because they catch the flu from you, would you not feel guilty? My employer requires flu shots for all employees since we interact with the public and each other.

 

[dave123]

I wonder how many would line up to get it if it cost them 500 dollars cash only. Now all these people who line up are told this could save your life I'm betting less than 1% would I'll say 50 bucks no one lines up but remember it's gonna save your life but hand it out for free they line up like the sheep and claim how great it is I laugh every year it comes around.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

Originally Posted by irv
Seen too many people get real sick after getting the flu shot, my wife was one of them who got them for years and ended up sick. 3 years ago she quit getting them and hasn't had the flu since.

I'm sure there are articles that read the opposite of this, but this and my wife's experience with them is enough for me to stay away from them.
https://thewellnesswayclinics.com/5-research-based-reasons-avoid-flu-shot/


I like the writings of cdc.gov, nih.gov, who.int, jamanetwork.com much more.

I am overjoyed at the responses to this thread. I was totally expecting to see a ton of big-pharma, government conspiracy and the like. My faith in the intelligence of the general public has been raised!

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted by Bottom_Feeder
Flu shots aren't for you, they're for everyone else. Anyone who says, 'I don't need a flu shot because I'm healthy' is completely missing the point.



Well that ain't me. I'm isolated and work for myself and by myself.
Don't go out in public much and my immune system is compromised.
Not exactly a prime candidate for the shot.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted by DBMaster
How do you all feel about the concept of "herd immunity?"


Sounds like science to me.

 

[Bud]

Always get mine. I am in my 70's so get the heavy duty shot for old farts.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by dave123
I wonder how many would line up to get it if it cost them 500 dollars cash only. Now all these people who line up are told this could save your life I'm betting less than 1% would I'll say 50 bucks no one lines up but remember it's gonna save your life but hand it out for free they line up like the sheep and claim how great it is I laugh every year it comes around.


Lots would still do.

Try looking up the shingles vaccine. Shingrix just came out not too long ago and there's a shortage of it now even though it's around $200 for the shot if insurance doesn't cover it. Because it's new, many don't.

I know one guy who got shingles and because that was before the vaccine, he lost vision in one eye. He sure wished he had the vaccine. How's that for a testimonial?

You just have no idea what the Spanish flu of 1918 was like.

 

[StevieC]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity

Quote
Herd immunity (also called herd effect, community immunity, population immunity, or social immunity) is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune. In a population in which a large number of individuals are immune, chains of infection are likely to be disrupted, which stops or slows the spread of disease. The greater the proportion of individuals in a community who are immune, the smaller the probability that those who are not immune will come into contact with an infectious individual.

Individual immunity can be gained through recovering from a natural infection or through artificial means such as vaccination. Some individuals cannot become immune due to medical reasons and in this group herd immunity is an important method of protection. Once a certain threshold has been reached, herd immunity gradually eliminates a disease from a population.This elimination, if achieved worldwide, may result in the permanent reduction in the number of infections to zero, called eradication.This method was used for the eradication of smallpox in 1977 and for the regional elimination of other diseases. Herd immunity does not apply to all diseases, just those that are contagious, meaning that they can be transmitted from one individual to another. Tetanus, for example, is infectious but not contagious, so herd immunity does not apply.

The term herd immunity was first used in 1923. It was recognized as a naturally occurring phenomenon in the 1930s when it was observed that after a significant number of children had become immune to measles, the number of new infections temporarily decreased, including among susceptible children. Mass vaccination to induce herd immunity has since become common and proved successful in preventing the spread of many infectious diseases. Opposition to vaccination has posed a challenge to herd immunity, allowing preventable diseases to persist in or return to communities that have inadequate vaccination rates.

 

[PeterPolyol]

Herd immunity is one hilarious logistic. If the unvaccinated don't get sick, they say it's herd immunity. Herd immunity implies the elimination of wild circulating disease, but OTOH there are always new serotypes of influenza, several in fact, being released each year so "herd immunity" absolutely cannot be the case for the unvaccinated that do not get sick.
Originally Posted by Wolf359


You just have no idea what the Spanish flu of 1918 was like.

To be fair, neither do you. Another thing is neither you, I or dave have any realistic clue about biological warfare 100 years ago.

 

[ammolab]

In the US influenza killed 80,000 people last year. It is a pass/fail IQ test whether you get the flu shot or not.

Same as I do/I don't wear seat belts.

 

[RayCJ]

I have 2 cousins that walk with canes and crutches because of polio. The vaccine became available shortly after they contracted the illness. The first successful immunization shots were for polio in 1952. If we've learned anything in the last 65 years, it's that immunization shots actually work. Immunology at this stage of the game is better understood than the additives put into the oil we use.

EDIT: I will correct myself before someone else does...

1797 Edward Jenner develops and documents first vaccine for smallpox (the first vaccine ever developed in history)

Looks like immunizations have been going successfully for 221 years.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Never have had it and never will get the flu shot.

 

[gregk24]

I get them every year. You CAN NOT get the flu from the shot.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted by RayCJ
I have 2 cousins that walk with canes and crutches because of polio. The vaccine became available shortly after they contracted the illness. The first successful immunization shots were for polio in 1952. If we've learned anything in the last 65 years, it's that immunization shots actually work. Immunology at this stage of the game is better understood than the additives put into the oil we use.

EDIT: I will correct myself before someone else does...

1797 Edward Jenner develops and documents first vaccine for smallpox (the first vaccine ever developed in history)

Looks like immunizations have been going successfully for 221 years.


In that case I would agree. In the case of the flu shot I disagree because they are guessing at which stains are going to pop up in the season long before they actually do when they need to manufacture enough quantity of the vaccine and in most cases the Flu doesn't have consequences like Polio would unless the person has a compromised immune system or some other complicating factor. That's the problem IMO with Flu Shots. I would advocate for other shots to be mandatory such as Polio etc. that my generation received as kids but the Flu shot is a stab in the dark for most.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by StevieC
Originally Posted by RayCJ
I have 2 cousins that walk with canes and crutches because of polio. The vaccine became available shortly after they contracted the illness. The first successful immunization shots were for polio in 1952. If we've learned anything in the last 65 years, it's that immunization shots actually work. Immunology at this stage of the game is better understood than the additives put into the oil we use.

EDIT: I will correct myself before someone else does...

1797 Edward Jenner develops and documents first vaccine for smallpox (the first vaccine ever developed in history)

Looks like immunizations have been going successfully for 221 years.


In that case I would agree. In the case of the flu shot I disagree because they are guessing at which stains are going to pop up in the season long before they actually do when they need to manufacture enough quantity of the vaccine and in most cases the Flu doesn't have consequences like Polio would unless the person has a compromised immune system or some other complicating factor. That's the problem IMO with Flu Shots. I would advocate for other shots to be mandatory such as Polio etc. that my generation received as kids but the Flu shot is a stab in the dark for most.



As for the percentage of effectiveness, why not just use the CDC numbers instead of just saying it's a shot in the dark? It's ranges from 10-60% depending on the season. It's better than nothing, but not 100%. Seems to average around 40-60% but a few years it was down to 10-20%.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/effectiveness-studies.htm

As for the price, it's about $20 at Costco without insurance. Save yourself a week or two of misery and maybe a lost day or two of work for $20 and risk it only being, 40-60% effective? Still a good gamble in my book. Covered by insurance and it's for free? I would consider that a no brainer. Many people have bad math skills though.