Flu Shots

[Slim]

I don't know. But the flu for me is so easy to beat. I just go tanning all winter. When I DO get it every five years, I take some stuff to make me puke, then a strong laxative, take a nap for an hour and it's gone. But how many people are cool with puking and voluntary diarrhea? I understand many wanting the shot. To me it's a complete waste of money, and the fact that so many people I know get the flu DESPITE getting the shot? That just cinches it for me.

You are a very entertaining guy.

[creekster]

I don't know. But the flu for me is so easy to beat. I just go tanning all winter. When I DO get it every five years, I take some stuff to make me puke, then a strong laxative, take a nap for an hour and it's gone. But how many people are cool with puking and voluntary diarrhea? I understand many wanting the shot. To me it's a complete waste of money, and the fact that so many people I know get the flu DESPITE getting the shot? That just cinches it for me.

Are you serious? No, really, do you actually believe this or is this obvious
Troll trolling?

[Babs]

Are you serious? No, really, do you actually believe this or is this obvious
Troll trolling?

I get the impression this is one of those guys who thinks the flu is a stomach virus. Or he's a troll. Or he's a moron. Those may not be mutually exclusive, btw.

[PaloAltoCougar]

The purpose of the flu vaccine is to reduce the risk of death from influenza. If you are exposed to a strain, the severity of your symptoms will depend on how robust the immune response you gained from the vaccine. The stronger the vaccine response, the milder the symptoms you will experience. But even those who experience more severe symptoms are much less likely to die or hospitalized if they received the vaccine.

This is very interesting. So it's possible the flu shot I got reduced my symptoms. Mrs. PAC couldn't get out of bed, and was sicker than I've seen her in a very long time, while my symptoms were far less severe. I think she'll get the shot next year, taekwondave's counsel notwithstanding.

[TripletDaddy]

I know that everyone is going to jump all over me for saying so () but every time I get the flu shot, I get sick within the week. Yes, I know, the virus is dead, etc. But it never fails, I always get sick.

I stopped getting flu shots awhile back. I haven't been sick once this season.

I also hate needles, so that is one reason to not get them.

I don't oppose those that do get them, though. MMM and the puffy check received their flu shots. I don't think there is a conspiracy, either,

Finally, are flu shots expensive? Everywhere I go I see signs for free flu shots...grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Of all the reasons to not get a flu shot, cost doesn't seem to be one of them. Unless I am off the mark.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Are you serious? No, really, do you actually believe this or is this obvious
Troll trolling?

I wanted to post one of those jpegs, but I am on my phone.

[cougjunkie]

I know that everyone is going to jump all over me for saying so () but every time I get the flu shot, I get sick within the week. Yes, I know, the virus is dead, etc. But it never fails, I always get sick.

I stopped getting flu shots awhile back. I haven't been sick once this season.

I also hate needles, so that is one reason to not get them.

I don't oppose those that do get them, though. MMM and the puffy check received their flu shots. I don't think there is a conspiracy, either,

Finally, are flu shots expensive? Everywhere I go I see signs for free flu shots...grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Of all the reasons to not get a flu shot, cost doesn't seem to be one of them. Unless I am off the mark.

I have never seen free signs but they are usually like $15 or $20. We get ours at Costco every year. I agree with you every time within a week I get sick as well.

[EdmondDantes]

I've alternated years where I've got them. Typically I get sick once a winter, but the last few years I've haven't got a flu shot and luckily haven't gotten that sick either.

I got a flu shot this year because our work in cooperation with our insurance was providing them and with a pregnant wife I figured...why not?

Well at the end of November I got a laryngitis/bronchitis double.

New Years Eve we had to cancel plans to eat at Communal because I was running a fever of 102.

First week of February I got cold, sore throat, cough...etc.

Abnormal for me to say the least.

Obviously it wasn't the cause of my getting sick, but the flu shot did me no good. I'm never getting one again.

[TripletDaddy]

I have never seen free signs but they are usually like $15 or $20. We get ours at Costco every year. I agree with you every time within a week I get sick as well.

Now that I think about it, the signs are up in certain neighborhoods. For example, there is a smiths several blocks from west high school, not far from the delta center. That one had a free flu shot sign. Also, there is a Latin supermercado around the corner from the red iguana...they were also giving free flu shots.

Still, if you need a flu shot, you can readily find them for free at clinics and such.

I wonder if part of my non flu-ness is from exercising all the time. Doesn't that boost the immune system?

[Eddie]

I know that everyone is going to jump all over me for saying so () but every time I get the flu shot, I get sick within the week. Yes, I know, the virus is dead, etc. But it never fails, I always get sick.

I stopped getting flu shots awhile back. I haven't been sick once this season.

I also hate needles, so that is one reason to not get them.

I don't oppose those that do get them, though. MMM and the puffy check received their flu shots. I don't think there is a conspiracy, either,

Finally, are flu shots expensive? Everywhere I go I see signs for free flu shots...grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Of all the reasons to not get a flu shot, cost doesn't seem to be one of them. Unless I am off the mark.

This describes me too. Last time I got a flu shot was the sickest I've gotten from the flu. I didn't get it immediately, but I got it. I haven't gotten a shot in the last 5-6 years and haven't gotten the flu either.

But I don't suggest others not do it.

[cougjunkie]

Now that I think about it, the signs are up in certain neighborhoods. For example, there is a smiths several blocks from west high school, not far from the delta center. That one had a free flu shot sign. Also, there is a Latin supermercado around the corner from the red iguana...they were also giving free flu shots.

Still, if you need a flu shot, you can readily find them for free at clinics and such.

I wonder if part of my non flu-ness is from exercising all the time. Doesn't that boost the immune system?

A little humble-brag in this post.

Not all of us are rich enough to shop at Smiths or Latin Supermarkets.

[Tim]

BTW, any reasons not to get a flu shot?

Yes. The whole point of the flu shot is to keep you from getting the flu... but the shot itself GIVES you the flu. I know it's dead flu, but dead flu is still the flu. Just like how dead broccoli is still broccoli and a dead person is still a person, dead flu is still flu. So if the whole point is to keep me from getting the flu, the flu shot achieves the very thing it's trying to prevent. And THAT, my esteemed friend, is a reason not to get a flu shot.

(No, I'm not trolling. Yes, I'm serious... but not really. I don't get a flu shot, but that's more because I just don't ever get sick. Maybe someday I'll start getting one.

[EuropeanFootballMale]

I don't know any of ya'll, but I do know several people who use the "I always get sicker with a flu shot" line and without fail they are suffering from acute cases of confirmation bias.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Yes. The whole point of the flu shot is to keep you from getting the flu... but the shot itself GIVES you the flu. I know it's dead flu, but dead flu is still the flu. Just like how dead broccoli is still broccoli and a dead person is still a person, dead flu is still flu. So if the whole point is to keep me from getting the flu, the flu shot achieves the very thing it's trying to prevent. And THAT, my esteemed friend, is a reason not to get a flu shot.

(No, I'm not trolling. Yes, I'm serious... but not really. I don't get a flu shot, but that's more because I just don't ever get sick. Maybe someday I'll start getting one.

As a young person without chronic medical problems, you are on the last tier of people recommended to get vaccinated, so you are not putting yourself at high risk by not getting the vaccine

[Babs]

Not all of us are rich enough to shop at Smiths or Latin Supermarkets.

Maybe if you went on welfare...