To: cupcakes
That's a common misperception. There's no legit doctor on the planet who would agree with you. Basically a flu shot will only work against one strain of flu, so you could still get the flu, albeit a different strain. And it may not even prevent the flu the specific shot was created for, but rather lessen they symptoms.
Bottom line is, if entire populations did NOT get a flu shot the death toll each year would be astronomical. Of course, thousands of scientists, research, and history could be wrong and you could be right. Anyway, the CDC explains it better than I can:
Flu Shots
The flu shot uses an inactivated or killed vaccine. This vaccine cant give you the flu. However, flu vaccine, like other vaccines, can occasionally cause a reaction. Feeling some response to the shot is not unusual. The vaccine acts to stimulate your immune system and prepare you to resist infection. You may feel your body's protective activity through mild symptoms. Also, some people may experience symptoms of mild sickness after getting a flu shot, but these symptoms are not necessarily connected to the shot.
If you do experience a reaction to the flu shot, it is usually local and mildredness, soreness, and swelling at the site of the injection. Usually if you have this kind of reaction you find that it doesn't interfere with normal daily activity and does not make you feel sick. Fever and more generalized aches and pains can occur but are even less likely; those who are receiving the vaccine for the first time ever are most likely to have this type of reaction. You feel the symptoms, if any, within a few hours of the injection. The symptoms typically cause discomfort, not sickness, and last for a day or two.
12 posted on
12/09/2003 6:11:59 AM PST by
Lee'sGhost
(Crom!)
To: Lee'sGhost
The death rates within the US have changed exactly from what per 100,000 to what per 100,000 before and after the flu shots?
You are only interested in mobidity rates, correct?
Stats on contraction rates aren't even kept are they?
13 posted on
12/09/2003 6:27:33 AM PST by
Maelstrom
(To prevent misinterpretation or abuse of the Constitution:The Bill of Rights limits government power)
To: Lee'sGhost
I'm a board certified physician and I agree with your comments above... however, let me correct you about the contents of the flu vaccine.
This year's vaccine was picked and produced six months ago.
There are several different strains that were targetted by the vaccine.
One of the strains was missed because the virus mutated some (genetic drift) prior to reaching the United States.
There is still cross reactivity between the vaccine and the wild virus. So, despite not a being a perfect match, the vaccine will provide some degree of protection.
Now, regarding the allegations of this group of researchers, instead of publishing in the popular media allegations of problems, legitimate researchers go out and do RESEARCH.
Instead of filing litigation with liberal law firms and having ex-gov Gray Davis funding their "non-profits" with millions of dollars of appropriations from the California state gov't...
Instead of launching criticism unprofessionally in the media...
They should quit complaining about the CDC and GO DO THE RESEARCH THEMSELVES in a controlled fashion and then PUBLISH THE RESULTS in Pediatrics...
Now, if AAP's people reject the research, THEN you have the real story.
22 posted on
12/09/2003 8:12:49 AM PST by
bonesmccoy
(Defeat the terrorists... Vaccinate!)
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