Who got their flu shot?
This year, I’m hearing the flu shot was only 10 percent effective. Not
too great. I’ve already had some patients with the flu who were
especially bummed because they got the shot.
I still personally always get it. But there is still a faction of
physicians I work with who refuse, even if it means they are pressured
to wear a mask in patient areas.
What do you think? Do you get the flu shot each year?
Yes, I get it every year. After having the flu in college and literally fearing I would die in my sleep I felt so bad, I haven't missed it since. I have gotten the flu twice since college-25 years ago-but so much milder than the first go around and I am convinced the vaccine made the recovery easier.
ReplyDeleteJust curious, but why do your colleagues refuse the shot? You'd think some protection would be better than none (which is why I get it--that and insurance pays for it).
ReplyDeleteI thought medical professionals were required to get it, is that not the case?
DeleteI think it’s fear of side effects. It’s not required but you have to wear a mask if you don’t.
DeleteI would have an anxiety attack from having to wear a mask! I will take my chances with the vaccine
DeleteI get the shot, and I judge anyone who doesn't harshly.
ReplyDeleteI don't. I understand the scientific POV that I don't get the flu BECAUSE I get the shot. But anecdotally, every time I get the shot I get sick. Draw your own conclusions.
ReplyDeleteBob, the “sickness” you get is your body mounting an inflammatory response to the antigens in the vaccine. It’s not the flu, but yeah you do often feel sick with “flulike” symptoms - fever, aches, malaise etc isnt caused by a pathogen itself, its your immune system responding to the threat and basically tally making you feel crappy to a) try and attack the threat and b) making you lie down and take it easy, thereby saving energy/making your immune system’s job easier to fight the threat. Flu vaccines are dead and they still produce this response - surely that could tell you that if the pathogen is having this affect on you when it’s dead, you don’t want to encounter it when it’s alive.
DeleteMy dad got a bone marrow transplant a few years back and his immune system still isn't fully back. He wound up getting the flu, it progressed to ARDS and he was in the ICU on a ventilator for a month. Yes I get the flu shot every year. My mom actually won't let anyone near my day who hasn't.
ReplyDeleteYup. Because someday another plague is coming for us and I'm going to be as protected as possible.
ReplyDeleteAlways! I have had the flu (the real deal) & it's awful. Worst side effect ai have gotten from the shot is a sore arm & low grade temperature. I feel it is my responsibility to protect myself, family & friends from the flu & vaccination, handwashing, etc. is the least I can do. Some of my friends & acquaintances have chronic health conditions & flu could kill them. Vaccine is not 100%, but it affords more protection than no shot!
ReplyDeleteNever. I was forced to get an annual flu shot in the military, and I was convinced it was just so they could control when the unit would all get sick at once. It's a scientific wild-assed guess by the CDC what to immunize for. Washing your hands and Megadosing Vitamin C is far more effective (35mg per pound of body weight per day, spread out throughout the day).
ReplyDeleteMoron.
DeleteI get vaccinated each and every year.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten the flu shot 2-3 times in my life--when the hype for a really bad strain of flu convinces me to get an injection. Other than that, I take my chances. My husband always gets a flu shot, and half the time he gets sick after the shot. (He gets man-colds, its so freakin' annoying with all the moaning and drama.) Jen in San Jose
ReplyDeleteI worked in public health for 36 years. Damn straight I get the flu shot every year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always get one and any other vaccinations available--pneumonia, shingles, whatever. I've had only one reaction--sore arm and a low-grade fever that lasted about 24 hours. You do not want influenza, and anything that improves your chances of avoiding it is worth having. I'm surprised and dismayed that there are medial personnel who are eligible but do not get vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't. I had my last flu in 2002 more or less. This year I got it and was really bad. Next year...I don't know.
ReplyDelete1. Antibiotics don't work for the flu (or colds). So stop asking.
ReplyDelete2. 75% of the people who died (died, no longer living, not able to love, kiss, talk, including children) did not get the flu shot. Even if it is "10% effective" at stopping the flu, it is pretty effective at mitigating the effects.
3. The flu shot is a secret attempt to make BILLIONS OF DOLLARS for vaccine and/or tamiflu manufactures. Because they don't make enough increasing the cost of every day meds that are used yearly, instead of once a year.
That's right, #1 and #2 are false. I'm not going to be sad when you die.