Cite.
With accompanying hard epidemiological data.
I thought I put the link in, but here it is: CDC Seasonal Flu page. You can find more detailed reports in the MMWR publication (Google "MMWR flu"), or you can go to www.pubmed.org and search for the original medical research publications yourself. If you have questions about how the CDC derives their numbers, you can probably ask them yourself (they do have contact info at their website).
Interesting suggestion. I know TWO people who have taken it upon themselves to research the 36000 number. BOTH have been denied and iirc the last denial (they’ve gone down this round and round with the CDC for nearly TEN YEARS now btw) was due to reasons of ‘national security’.
So yeah. They TELL you those numbers. But give you nothing behind them but their word. Trust us. I’m more of a ‘show your work’ kind of gal. In fact, I failed kids who tried that when I taught college.
Coming from the organization that included gang crimes and deaths in 21yr olds as ‘child gun deaths’ in an anti gun screed, color me suspicious of their data and research.
Years later, I had to have a Tetanus shot, became ill, arm swelled was red and hot and was told never to have another Tetanus shot.
If it wasn't for that, I would take the flu shot because I am old and to protect myself during flu season, I stay away from crowds, move away from anyone I see sneeze or cough, stay at home as much as possible, and if I have to go out, I wash my hands thoroughly when I get home and also carry antiseptic sheets in packets to use while I'm out if I have to touch anything I suspect could be covered with harmful bacteria.
I don't wear a tin foil hat about this but I cannot take those kinds of shots without my arm almost falling off and my having fever and chills. No doctor wants me to take those shots.
I also said I am deathly allergic to iodine - I have a permanent deep scar from a doctor checking me for iodine sensitivity with a shot just under my skin - my skin rotted off down through all three layers of skin and that hole had to heal from the bottom up - I will not have IVP dye for an MRI or CAT scan with iodine. Shrimp, crab, clams, puts me in bed for three days with red skin, chills, nausea to the max.
So, I'm not just using some flimsy excuse to avoid a needle containing flu vaccine. For years, I gave myself shots in my leg for severe allergies so I'm not afraid of needles at all.
All that said, I hope so much I do not get the flu this winter and will make every effort I can to protect myself. At 80 yrs. old, I don't want flu.