flu shot

[Dave Bagwill]

Wife and I have not had flu for many years. Never had a flu shot, either.

Until this year - we got the shot, under pressure from Doctor and because LOTS of people are getting the flu around here - in fact last week there was not an open hospital bed from Redding in Northern Ca all the way up Interstate 5 in Eugene, Oregon - a big area.

Long story short - we have both been sick for the past week.

If we had not got the shot??? I really don't know.

[John Parchem]

I am sorry to hear that you and your wife are sick. To add another anecdotal story I get a flu shot every year and have not gotten the flu in the last 15 years or so. One issue with Flu shots is that they vaccinate against three likely flu variants. The immunity for any given flu variations last longer than a year. So having the shot every year I have a response against a larger number of flu variants. Another issue with the flu shot is that you do not get full immunity until about a month after the shot.

[Herman]

You sorry people, The flu is nasty, but at least you got very close for a couple of days!
flu and love are in the air!
Herman

[Dave Bagwill]

You found the silver lining of love in the dark clouds of flu. You are amazing Herman!!

[John Link]

At risk of sounding "moralistic" as in "pointing fingers at those who are not like me", I will say that the more people who get the flu shot, the less likely the possibility that anyone, shot-taker or otherwise, will get it. When enough people are vaccinated, the virus's ability to jump from one host to another is severely thwarted, thus extending protection to those who did not get the shot and those who got it, but did not get the expected immunity. And so getting the shot not only protects oneself, but, in some small way, assists everyone else as well. There are risks in getting the shot, of course, but the benefit is great. I've had flu just once, when I was younger and stronger, and it is devastating, compared to even the worst cold I ever had. It is not to be taken lightly. I have gotten the shot ever since.

Dave, your illness may not be connected with the flu or flu shot at all. It does not protect at all against the common cold. Then again, you could have a case of the flu that has been mediated by the shot into something much more diminished. In any case, I hope you and your wife get over whatever it is.

[Dave Bagwill]

Good points John, thanks. WE both have pretty good 'constitutions' so yeah, we'll weather the dang thing.

[Tim Benware]

The first flu shot I ever got was in the military, I got the flu for the first time ever. Next year I asked if I could skip it they said no that I had to take it and if i got sick three years in row then i could get a waiver. Guess what, sick three years in a row and I got my waiver. That was 1985-87, haven't gotten the flu since then.