flu shots...yea or nay

[ST]

since my diagnosis is recent I'm scared to get my flu shot. Scared it may set off an ob. Anyone have any advice?

[Sanguine108]

Waste. You'll have a greater chance of getting really sick w the flu shot than without.

[VVK]

This year's vaccine isn't very effective for some reason. In other years, if you think about it, you have a good chance of dying from the flu, so the vaccine is worth taking a risk with getting an outbreak.

@Sanguine108 please explain why you believe there's a greater chance of getting sick with the flu shot than without it

[Sanguine108]

I worked in a clinic and it seemed like 75% of the ppl who got the flu shot or mist came back sick, with the flu.  OR patient gets flu shot and comes back 1 month later w the flu. Tested pos culture n all and they had their shot a month before.

influenza virus evolves way too fast for companies to accurately vaccinate against it.  It's a waste of resources if you ask me.   They offered me the flu shot and I denied it.  Of all the times I've tested ppl positive for influenza and ppl coming in w general viral infections I never got sick. I was excited to maybe get the flu and test some herbs on it.  But no.     One thing that got me was a season change w allergies.  But I got w some honey and that went away.

but chances are pretty high the flu shot you get isn't the influenza that's floating around.  Sure if you're older, get a flu shot that your doc recommends bc liability blablabla.

but I'm skeptical those studies on flu immunizations are fudged so hard on their efficacy some things in modern medicine.   I didn't have a strong stance on it until I worked in the field.

You know, I'm just going to copy and paste this from the Center for Disease Control's website.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
"How well the flu vaccine works (or its ability to prevent flu illness) can range widely from season to season. The vaccine’s effectiveness also can vary depending on who is being vaccinated. At least two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that flu vaccine will protect a person from flu illness: 1) characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health), and 2) the similarity or "match" between the flu viruses the flu vaccine is designed to protect against and the flu viruses spreading in the community. During years when the flu vaccine is not well matched to circulating viruses, it’s possible that no benefit from flu vaccination may be observed. During years when there is a good match between the flu vaccine and circulating viruses, it’s possible to measure substantial benefits from vaccination in terms of preventing flu illness. However, even during years when the vaccine match is very good, the benefits of vaccination will vary across the population, depending on characteristics of the person being vaccinated and even, potentially, which vaccine was used."

I appreciate them being honest.

But IF YOU DO DECIDE to get the flu shot.  Goto Target pharmacy and they have the shot without any preservatives.  Flu shot without preservatives is made available for pregnant mothers but it doesn't mean you couldn't benefit from it either!   I'm not sure if Publix offers it.  Ask around.

Edited October 14, 2015 by Sanguine108
CDC addition and preservative free shot suggestion