Posted on 10/26/2011 8:36:35 PM PDT by arderkrag
Annual flu shots protect only about 59 percent of the population -- far less than previously thought -- according to a new study led by University of Minnesota researchers.
The study found "major holes and gaps'' in the vaccine given to tens of millions of Americans every year to prevent influenza and its complications, said Michael Osterholm, the lead scientist and head of the university's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. But until a better vaccine comes along, Osterholm said, 59 percent "is a lot better than zero."
--SNIP--
"This is the most comprehensive review of influenza vaccine that I've seen," she said. She predicted it will be the subject of discussion this week in Atlanta, where committee members are meeting. "This study is sort of shaking the underpinnings, if you will, of that 70 to 90 percent [effectiveness] figure that's often been quoted."
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
I’ve only gotten a flu shot once and I ended up getting the flu.
I seem to fight that sort of thing off pretty good. What drives others to their knees makes me a little achy and feverish but seldom really makes me sick.
Ping
Don't miss it!
Never had the flu.
Never had a flu shot.
Related?
Never had the shingles shot.
Never had shingles.
Related.
Same for pneumonia.
What hard proof is there that hand sanitizer reduces disease?
I had the same experience as you. The worst case of flu I ever had was brought on by a flu shot.
I have never taken a flu shot since—and have never had the flu again.
Who is this Ard - and how can he be contacted? I have a few more predictions that need some work.
In hospitals? A lot.
At home? None.
Buy consolidated lint, plant your corn early next year, and your lucky numbers are 17, 12, 37, 16, 48, and 23.
I must be one of the 59 %. My health hasn’t been too good for several years and I spent a couple of days in the hospital some years back due to the flu which went into my lungs. Since then I’ve been taking the shots and have not had the flu in spite of exposure. My wife has done well too.
Kewl.
Complications of flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
I never got the flu either until my hospital mandated the flu vaccine for everyone or lose your job. This coincided with the 2008 Flu Challenge that Merck promoted on the Joint Commission for accreditation of hospitals/health care facilities and has intensified ever since . No conflict of interest there.
This is a racket to force people to do this - just makes the drugs companies richer, and gives the false illusion that you are protecting yourself. If you want the vaccine, knock yourself out. If you wash your hands with soap and water regularly, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, and take some Vitamin D - you’ve done way more for yourself and those within your spew sphere then the flu shot could ever hope to do.
I am not a vaccine-conspiracy person or anti-vaccine, per se. However, I’ve always seen “Flu shot” as a waste of money, much as “alternatives” are. If it essentially makes you sick to keep you healthy long-term, I see no value and more trouble than it’s worth.
Yes, I’ve had flus. Not every year, though.
Last year my MIL was bugging us about giving our 2yo son a flu shot, especially the “swine flu” craze that was sweeping through. Never mind the ped always promoting it. I resisted and neither I nor my son got any flu much less the “evil swine flu” that hardly happened.
My parents and husband and MIL do it all the time, but I do not wish to. I think it’s a waste.
Without rendering an opinion as to the effectiveness of getting the flu shot, it’s very likely that your body’s natural immune response to actually getting the flu is the reason you haven’t gotten it again rather than the vaccine.
I got a flu shot 4 years ago and my legs ‘buzzed” for 8 months after.
My ‘doc’ said it had nothing to do with the flu shot.
Yea, it was just ‘coincidence’ that it came about a few days after the shot.
Anyways i researched it, found some REALLY SCARY STUFF and will NEVER get a flu shot ever again.
I suggest the same to you guys.
You can’t get the flu from the flu shot, though you can expose yourself to the flu by going to the doctor’s office or hospital to get the shot.
I got my one flu shot in the AF in 1966. I also got the only serious case of flu I have ever had following that shot.
I used to get the flu every year, though not so severe as to be hospitalized. I haven’t had it since getting the shots. I can’t prove it is due to the shots, of course, but I’ll not run the risk of discontinuing them.
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