It's time for the flu vaccine again. This year the vaccine is targeting new strains. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months or older get a flu shot.
Just because the flu shot is available and the CDC is suggesting you get one, doesn't mean there aren't a few people who cannot get vaccinated. The CDC says the following folks should not get a flu shot:
- Anyone who has a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- Anyone who's had a severe reaction to a past flu shot
- Anyone with a fever (wait until they get better to get the shot)
- Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome -- this one isn't black and white, see your doctor to decide if the risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome outweighs the risk of contracting the flu
I wasn't always a believer in the flu shot, but the evidence is strong that it works. I recommend you listen to the CDC. Get vaccinated.
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Just wondering what made you into a believer of the flu vaccine?
It is only good against three viruses – and how many hundreds of viruses are out there?
Personally, I don’t see the compelling evidence out there versus the risk. Depends on what statistics you check out.
I believe in keeping your immunity up through great nutrition,(Vegan eating) working out, sleeping, and some Vit D3 and Omega 3′s, and keeping those hands clean and away from your face.
Lou Ann, I think your advice on good living is valid (although I remain an omnivore). It’s true that the vaccine only contains three strains in a typical year. Sometimes it will have more than three, however. It depends on what authorities think will happen in the coming season.
The strains included in each season’s vaccine are determined specifically for that season. Sometimes it’s not a good match, but that’s not very common. In years when there was a good virus match between the vaccine and the seasonal flu, the effectiveness of the vaccine was about 60%. That’s not incredible, but it’s a lot better than nothing.
Vaccination is not an unnatural way to protect oneself from infection. It’s just a controlled way to get the infection without getting sick.