Time for Flu shots

[lowflyer]

Nope - I'll wear the mask, thanks. It's far more effective than the flu shot; and protects against other things, as well.

When you wear your mask is all the air you breath being filtered by the mask? No. Most of it is being sucked in around the mask, unless you are wearing an industrial mask which I doubt.
So you are still breathing a fog of air, moisture and germs from someone else, and relying on that mask to protect you from respiratory disease is risky.
But if you do get a cold or the flu, wear the mask to help protect the rest of us from your illness, though that's not 100%. When I am in Asia and see all the people wearing masks I feel safer although I'm not wearing one myself.

 

[Rred]

Dog, I didn't say it was unreasonable, exceptional, or not worth the reaction. I think my comment was pretty objectively limited to just saying THIS YEARS SHOT IS GIVING PEOPLE MORE REACTIONS.

For that matter, the new Shingrix vaccine against shingles (which needs two doses, not just one) is causing way more reactions (same type of reaction, red blotch, hot spot, sore arm) than the old Zostervax shot did. But, it is also apparently providing way better protection. And if you've ever known anyone who came down with Shingles....let's see now, four days of probable discomfort twice, or a chance at months of incredible agony...which one do you choose?

THIS YEARS SHOT IS GIVING PEOPLE MORE REACTIONS. No need to read anything more or less into that statement. Expect a reaction. If you don't have one, great. It probably means you didn't need the shot in the first place. (Damn, wasted my time and money again.)

 

[lowflyer]

THIS YEARS SHOT IS GIVING PEOPLE MORE REACTIONS. No need to read anything more or less into that statement. Expect a reaction. If you don't have one, great. It probably means you didn't need the shot in the first place. (Damn, wasted my time and money again.)

I would like to know your source for saying that this year's flu shot is "giving people more reactions" and that if a person doesn't get a reaction he "didn't need the shot in the first place."

I hope no one neglects to get the flu shot based on this misinformation, unless of course you actually have some authoritative source other than "two neighbors."

 

[hhmoore]

When I hear statements such as this my immediate reaction is very strongly negative. I am all for individual rights and personal choice but I also feel strongly in informed consent so want any individual that declines vaccination to make this choice based on facts rather then emotion.

My decision is not taken lightly, nor is it emotional. I will, however, admit that the small part of me that was starting to consider the vaccine (because I hit that magic age) changed its mind when Big Brother decided to get involved.

There is something called herd immunity that occurs when a sufficient number of individuals in a population are immune to the illness. An individual that choices not to get immunized increases the risk for all, especially for individuals at the greatest risk, the old and the very young

I'm familiar with it...and, while I don't denounce it, the concept is based on effective vaccinations.

Yes a mask can help prevent spread of infection and reduce your risk but to do so you will need to wear it consistently whenever you are in any public area during flu season and I know no one that does this. Even if you do, this is certainly a choice that requires more intervention and effort then a shot that takes just a brief amount of time and effort and at most will cause a bit of discomfort for a day or two.

My exposure rate is higher than average; so I spend a good portion of each day in a mask - likely more than you would expect - though, admittedly, I don't wear one when in every situation in which I might encounter people.

I am seriously interested in why you would prefer possibly wearing a mask everyday for months?

I am not anti-vaccine...though the "science" behind the flu vaccine isn't as strong as they want us to think. Bottom line is that it is based on guesswork - I'll grant that they're "educated guesses"; but still guesses. If they could consistently hit 70+% effectiveness, I'd reconsider the flu vaccine...but would still likely wear the mask because, as I said above, it protects against more than the flu. Last flu season, I was notified of a few pertussis exposures...not to mention all the nasties that didn't require formal notification; and let's not forget the germ spewing coworkers that are coughing and sneezing all over the place.

I'm not trying to talk anybody out of the flu vaccine. I simply recognize that it isn't for me, at this time. I would love to see them succeed in the advances that are in process; and if the science is improved to the point where it is consistently effective, I'd likely take my place in line.

 

[Bubblesong]

Physicians fear flu is felling the folk

Hhmoore fears a rash from a tiny needle poke

Mask won’t save his @$$

But he could try smoking grass

Smite those small assassins in sanitizing spliff smoke!

 

[uncfnp]

My decision is not taken lightly, nor is it emotional. I will, however, admit that the small part of me that was starting to consider the vaccine (because I hit that magic age) changed its mind when Big Brother decided to get involved.

I'm familiar with it...and, while I don't denounce it, the concept is based on effective vaccinations.

My exposure rate is higher than average; so I spend a good portion of each day in a mask - likely more than you would expect - though, admittedly, I don't wear one when in every situation in which I might encounter people.


I am not anti-vaccine...though the "science" behind the flu vaccine isn't as strong as they want us to think. Bottom line is that it is based on guesswork - I'll grant that they're "educated guesses"; but still guesses. If they could consistently hit 70+% effectiveness, I'd reconsider the flu vaccine...but would still likely wear the mask because, as I said above, it protects against more than the flu. Last flu season, I was notified of a few pertussis exposures...not to mention all the nasties that didn't require formal notification; and let's not forget the germ spewing coworkers that are coughing and sneezing all over the place.

I'm not trying to talk anybody out of the flu vaccine. I simply recognize that it isn't for me, at this time. I would love to see them succeed in the advances that are in process; and if the science is improved to the point where it is consistently effective, I'd likely take my place in line.

I respect your right to make the decision best for you but will admit I have trouble understanding otherwise intelligent adults that would prefer the risk of the flu illness, the morbidity and yes mortality, as opposed to an injection that may prevent infection and quite definitely lessens the risk of serious sequela if one does still get the flu.

Of the 180 childhood deaths from the fku this past season approximately 80% were not vacinated. It got to the point last season that I cringed when yet another parent reacted to the question of immunization as if I had suggested they murder their child. I finely asked one parent how many children they recalled dying from the vaccine. The answer was zero. Then I asked if they knew of any children dying from the flu? That parent complained about me for trying to frighten them. Guilty as charged. If I can convince one parent to immunize their child that would not have otherwise I count my day a success.

There really is no down side to the vaccination and quite probably a benefit even when not fully protected.

What big brother? You are personal testiment that no one (with possible exception of some employers) requires adult flu vaccination.

And FWIW @Rred, the Shingrix as an adjuvant vaccine as well.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Dog, I didn't say it was unreasonable, exceptional, or not worth the reaction. I think my comment was pretty objectively limited to just saying THIS YEARS SHOT IS GIVING PEOPLE MORE REACTIONS.

Ahhh, I see. Then I'm sure you'll be happy to provide some source that supports this statement. I'm sure you're as aware as I am that an anecdotal report from a couple of neighbors doesn't exactly equal science.

 

[Bubblesong]

I Had both flu shot and shingles shot 7 hours ago. My flu arm does not feel any pain but shingles arm is sore and not fun to lift with. This is in contrast to my sister that actually got shingles a few weeks ago.
Her shingles symptom was that she woke in the middle of the night with left side pain so bad she went to emergency room, who told her she did not have appendicitis, must have pulled a muscle. Later the next day she noticed the rash on her left side, and didn’t think it was a big deal, ( maybe detergent reaction or similar) until it got terribly painful, back to urgent care where they diagnosed shingles and gave her acyclovir.
So glad I am saved two, (or more) emergency room visits by getting vaccines with regular check up.

 

[hhmoore]

There really is no down side to the vaccination and quite probably a benefit even when not fully protected.

I personally know three people that had significant reactions (as in, months out of work) attributed to flu vaccinations...and it was the specialists overseeing their care that said it was from the vaccine. I know 3 is an incredibly small number; but since I know those people, it carries some weight with me.

What big brother? You are personal testiment that no one (with possible exception of some employers) requires adult flu vaccination.

Mandated by the state (not the facilities) for healthcare personnel - close enough to big brother, for me. Granted, the current form allows declination (mask use required); but that was not originally the case.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

They won't get me again.

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I'm getting one next week.