Fr_Tom":kkccl85a said:
I am feeling bad reporting this, but I have never gotten one. My wife always gets one. In terms of dodging flu-like illness I have a better track record than she does.
It is probably a good thing to do. I don't fear needles or anything. I am a regular blood donor. I just never saw a compelling reason for me to get one.
Perhaps all those years in the classroom built up my immune system?
Hmmm. My position (a half dozen things to consider):
1. Your immune system, regardless of its great power, is not in and of itself sufficient to disallow getting the flu...if you are sufficiently exposed to the virus.
2. There are new strains every year...each a new and exciting annual disease experience. Each capable of laying you low.
3. Not contracting the disease in the past is not a good predictor of escaping future infection. It’s ALL about your coming into contact with the virus.
4. If every person got vaccinated the virus would have fewer hosts by which to spread further. That’s how we essentially eradicated polio and smallpox.
5. Saying that you’ve never had an annual vaccination but haven’t ever gotten the flu...so you’re OK, is a very flawed perspective. You’re rolling the dice every year. At some point you’ll get nailed.
6. 90% of flu related deaths occur in people aged 65 and older. So every year being vaccinated is more and more important.
This is a particularly nasty flu year...the B virus is BAD-BAD. But...since the vaccine is only 25% to 33% effective against B and 66% effective against the A virus...maybe being shot-less is only that much safer? Again, a crap shoot.
Being a friend, I don’t want you to be sick...or worse. Good luck amigo.
