Flu vaccination, yes or no.

[stingray1]

Got one years ago,came down with the flu,sick for three weeks.Never again.

 

[IslandTractor]

Because the bean counters say its cheaper to just stick 'em again.... splendid.

I'm not sure you got my point.

If you forget whether you've changed your oil in the past year (50-100hrs/yr) then you either need to 1) simply change it knowing that you might have already done it within the past 10-20 hours or 2) you can send off and pay for an oil analysis to get precise data to guide your decision. Plan 1 does indeed cost less but it is also the simplest correct answer.

If Ultrarunner couldn't document his MMR status then 1) he could be revaccinated or 2) could have blood drawn, sent to a lab and gotten a serology done. Plan 1 in this case costs less but is also just the simplest solution. The alternative is perfectly acceptable but takes more time and money.

The KISS principle just argues for simple oil change and "blind" revaccination. Nothing wrong with that. Even if it does save money for the beancounters.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm not sure you got my point.

If you forget whether you've changed your oil in the past year (50-100hrs/yr) then you either need to 1) simply change it knowing that you might have already done it within the past 10-20 hours or 2) you can send off and pay for an oil analysis to get precise data to guide your decision. Plan 1 does indeed cost less but it is also the simplest correct answer.

If Ultrarunner couldn't document his MMR status then 1) he could be revaccinated or 2) could have blood drawn, sent to a lab and gotten a serology done. Plan 1 in this case costs less but is also just the simplest solution. The alternative is perfectly acceptable but takes more time and money.

The KISS principle just argues for simple oil change and "blind" revaccination. Nothing wrong with that. Even if it does save money for the beancounters.

OK, that makes more sense to me. :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

Boy... hot topic. I didn't read through the entirety of this thread but I have never had one, and likely never will. Injecting a virus in oneself just doesn't seem right. I understand it is a 'killed' virus and it's supposed to boost your antibodies but if you are healthy I am not convinced it is very effective... I believe the 'authorities' say about 60%. If you are old and feeble, maybe it is a benefit but with the effectiveness as low as advertised... I don't know and it doesn't seem anyone really knows for sure.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm not sure you got my point.

If you forget whether you've changed your oil in the past year (50-100hrs/yr) then you either need to 1) simply change it knowing that you might have already done it within the past 10-20 hours or 2) you can send off and pay for an oil analysis to get precise data to guide your decision. Plan 1 does indeed cost less but it is also the simplest correct answer.

If Ultrarunner couldn't document his MMR status then 1) he could be revaccinated or 2) could have blood drawn, sent to a lab and gotten a serology done. Plan 1 in this case costs less but is also just the simplest solution. The alternative is perfectly acceptable but takes more time and money.

The KISS principle just argues for simple oil change and "blind" revaccination. Nothing wrong with that. Even if it does save money for the beancounters.

I did document it but the 23 year old tech said my records are very old... and since the employer was paying for it might as well have it done today...

 

[IslandTractor]

Boy... hot topic. I didn't read through the entirety of this thread but I have never had one, and likely never will. Injecting a virus in oneself just doesn't seem right. I understand it is a 'killed' virus and it's supposed to boost your antibodies but if you are healthy I am not convinced it is very effective... I believe the 'authorities' say about 60%. If you are old and feeble, maybe it is a benefit but with the effectiveness as low as advertised... I don't know and it doesn't seem anyone really knows for sure.

That is a very commonly held viewpoint. Unless you work in a hospital or live with very vulnerable people (older folks mostly but also people with lung disease etc) then "taking your chances" is just that. Not really much different than choosing not to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts don't work 100% either.

What your attitude says to me though is that we (society) haven't done a very good job of educating the public about immunity and vaccination. At least we haven't done as good a job as we have with seatbelts. Most folks wear seatbelts these days but I recall resistance in the 1960's and 70's from folks who worried about being trapped in a car underwater or who pointed out that they'd done just fine without them for decades and they weren't going to switch. I suspect (hope) the public will be increasingly supportive of adult immunization as time goes on. Lots of benefits to pneumococcal and varicella vaccines as well as with influenza. Just like with seatbelts and airbags, the public takes a while to get on board.

 

[dragoneggs]

That is a very commonly held viewpoint. Unless you work in a hospital or live with very vulnerable people (older folks mostly but also people with lung disease etc) then "taking your chances" is just that. Not really much different than choosing not to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts don't work 100% either.

What your attitude says to me though is that we (society) haven't done a very good job of educating the public about immunity and vaccination. At least we haven't done as good a job as we have with seatbelts. Most folks wear seatbelts these days but I recall resistance in the 1960's and 70's from folks who worried about being trapped in a car underwater or who pointed out that they'd done just fine without them for decades and they weren't going to switch. I suspect (hope) the public will be increasingly supportive of adult immunization as time goes on. Lots of benefits to pneumococcal and varicella vaccines as well as with influenza. Just like with seatbelts and airbags, the public takes a while to get on board.

Commonly held... probably. I don't equate it to seat belts though and I am supportive of other immunization shots especially for kids. But just not yet for the 'common' yearly flu that we seem to be chasing a 'cure' for. It continues to morph and we are always a year or so behind. Do you think we will ever catch up? Life and sickness boils down to heredity, luck and chances. Certain things we can do to improve our odds but I guess I haven't been sold yet on a yearly injection. Keep educating me... I am a life long learner!

 

[k0ua]

Commonly held... probably. I don't equate it to seat belts though and I am supportive of other immunization shots especially for kids. But just not yet for the 'common' yearly flu that we seem to be chasing a 'cure' for. It continues to morph and we are always a year or so behind. Do you think we will ever catch up? Life and sickness boils down to heredity, luck and chances. Certain things we can do to improve our odds but I guess I haven't been sold yet on a yearly injection. Keep educating me... I am a life long learner!

I am like you, I believe in vaccination as a good thing, but it is this flu thing I seem to resist. I am weighing my past responses to the shot (not good) and the chances it will actually help preventing getting this years strain (maybe hit or miss?) and my history of not taking the shot and not getting the flu, and all of this lead me to inaction. I have often thought as I get older, and probably weaker, well maybe I should start taking them again and take my chances with a negative response. I do respect the actual Dr in the rooms advice. I would not respect his advice on telecom matters or the best way to field strip a 1911,(these would be more up my alley) but this IS his field of expertise.

 

[ultrarunner]

One does have to wonder why the manufacturers of the vaccines are often Federally protected against the consequences of adverse reactions like just about no other for profit in America... at least I do.

Much in medical has reaffirmed the right of informed consent, patient privacy and respecting the patient's right to decide... even to forego lifesaving treatment in some cases.

Walking down the corridor at work and having someone call me in and say roll up your sleeve without so much as a word before hand just strikes me as wrong.

Than asking a simple question and getting a response... "Honey, we all have to do this" does not inspire confidence... especially when I have called them on it before by going to the source... the country public health nurse who was misquoted by the Hospital Admin... stating it is a requirement when the public health nurse said recommendation...

 

[Cat_Driver]

I was brain washed into getting flue shots years ago. Just like clockwork every fall I got my flu shot, and like clockwork I always came down with a BAD case of the flue every December that took a month to clear up. It got to the point I never made plans during December as I knew I was going to be sick, and I always was.

I'm talking getting chest x-rays sick and coughing up blood. The only way to stop the cough was strong codeine from the doc. Took a month to get over it and two months to get back strong enough.

One day I'm in my Docs office and he told his receptionist just died last week. He said she got the flu shot and that night she was in the hospital, he rushed to her side, and she passed. He went on and on telling NEVER EVER get a flu shot. well, that was the last year I ever got a flu shot, and guess what, - it was the last year I was ever sick with the flu. I haven't had the flu in nearly 20 years now.

Same with my daughter, she got the flu shot along with me and was always sick with the flu during her school years. She stopped taking the shots at the same time I did, and has never been sick since, 10 years for her.

Never again for me, and after doing research on what they put in that cocktail, I realize what a sucker I was.