Nearly 99% of the time it is the WRONG STRAIN and they don't exempt you from the flu. The elderly should definitely NOT get those shots.
The GERMS are STRONGER than what they used to use in the “old days” and now there are TOO MANY STRONG GERMS being injected into little kids with immature immune systems. It's a game of Russian Roulette.
I'm afraid you've gotten some bad information. It is the wrong strain some times, but definitely NOT "99%" of the time. The CDC says
In 16 of the last 20 U.S. influenza seasons, including the 2007-08 season, the viruses in the influenza vaccine have been well matched to the predominant circulating viruses. Since 1988, there has only been one season (1997-98) when there was very low cross-reaction between the viruses in the vaccine and the predominate circulating virus and three seasons (1992-93, 2003-04, and 2007-08) when there was low cross-reaction.They also note that even when the match is not good, there is often some cross reactivity which gives some protection. Also, the elderly should definitely get flu shots, as they, young children, and those with certain medical problems are most at risk of dying from the flu.
Also, no vaccines are made with live "strong germs." The existing live vaccines are made with deliberately weakened (attenuated) versions of the virus or bacteria.
agreed.. folks I work with, who came down with the flu in the last 2 months.. all 3 of them, refuse flu shots, (because they all know someone who got the flu)... interesting, how it’s always someone else who got the flu from it..
idiots... I try to explain, that it’s not a “live” virus... does no good...
so they suffer...