(1) The "mass immunization" argument is a canard. Viruses are the most prevalent form of life in the universe and have been around since the dawn of time. How do you think they've survived? If 100% of the population were immunized the virus would merely mutate into a form that will resist that immunity. Do you suppose it's just coincidence that over the years the number of strains of various viruses has increased exponentially? They are living things that want to continue living and are quite accomplished at finding a way.
(2) Using the Spanish Flu Epidemic as justification for mass immunization? Puh-leez! That was just after the turn of the century when there were no antibiotics to speak of to prevent secondary infection, which was the major contributing factor to fatalities. Not to mention the sanitation issues and limited knowledge of infectious diseases.
Is anyone really getting rich on a $25 flu shot?
It's very hard to take you seriously with a comment like this. When you have major hospital systems, insurance companies, and the Feds buying up millions of doses to distribute to the masses you bet someone's getting rich. I have nothing against anyone getting rich. What I do have a problem with is companies getting rich by foisting a phony cure-all that will, IMHO, in the long run create more problems than it will solve.
If you think the flu shot will help you then by all means get one. Just realize that the shot immunizes you and you alone and does not prevent you from carrying or spreading the virus to others.
True, secondary infection is often a factor in flu mortality.
HOWEVER, the Spanish Flu was particularly virulent, often taking lives quickly, not from secondary infection but rather from a phenomenon known as “cytokine storm” in which the lungs were attacked and rapidly destroyed.
The young and healthy were as vulnerable as those with compromised health, and they died quickly, long before a secondary infection could establish.
Some strains of the H5N1 “bird” flu do the same thing.
Please don’t discount the danger, or efforts of researchers to protect us from another such pandemic.