28 years ago went my wife went permanent quadriplegic in about a couple hours time. In the ER one of the questions the Neurologist asked was about any recent vaccines. He was looking at the possibility of Guillain–Barré Syndrome. The fact she maintained full respiratory function ruled that out. There is validity in vaccine concerns.
What could be going on here could be Transverse Myelitis which is similar with Polio and can be from the Polio virus or other virus that would cause the persons own immune system to attack the Mylien Nerve Sheaves. That was my wife diagnoses and possible Polio Relapse Syndrome. The flu shots back in the early to mid 1980's did put a considerable number of person in wheelchairs. But in her caseshe had not taken that shot and yes she is understandably reluctant to take a flu shot now.
All shots have risk. For example I take Allergy shots. I take three shots every three weeks and six every six weeks. After taking the shots I have to sit in the waiting room 20 minutes.
Whether is virus vaccines or allergy shots it is dealing with the autoimmune system. To say there is no risk is foolish. Risk of adverse issues vs risk of not taking shot should be weighed on individual basis.
“To say there is no risk is foolish.”
I didn’t say there was no risk. What happened to your wife is tragic. But it is equally tragic when children die or are damaged from measles or rubella or mumps, or any number of diseases that can easily be vaccinated against.
The risk of adverse effect is so remote compared to the risk of getting the disease one is vaccinated against that it’s foolish to say otherwise.
This doesn’t make your wife recover or help you help her deal with it.
There can be no arguing with the health benefit and life-extending benefit of vaccines - there are plenty that will and do argue - based on a very small chance of adverse reaction, or some baseless belief in autism being caused.
It’s not even close to compare outcomes for vaccinate vs. don’t vaccinate populations.