Does the Seasonal Flu Shot Prevent Trasmission?

[MyBoysBlue]

I'm curious. As someone who doesn't do the regular childhood vaccinations it was pretty easy to dismiss the Flu shots, so I haven't really researched them.

I am a bit confused about some claims that others have been making on some of the other message boards I frequent. They say they will vax so they don't pass it on to others and kill them and then feel guilty. They stated that even if your not sick with the flu you can still be a carrier and not know you are passing it on and therefore they will get the flu shot so they won't be a carrier.

I understand the logic that if I don't have the flu I can't sneeze on someone and make them sick. I didn't think you could be a carrier and not sick. But what about surface contact? I know that I have picked up bugs from shopping carts and the like. Does the flu not live on surfaces. If they do? Can someone who is vaxed against the flu, and lets just say that the vax worked, and they don't get sick; can they then pass it on to others? I guess this is where frequent hand washing would come into play?

[carriebft]

This is a question I started wondering a little while ago but never looked into. If anyone has information on this, I would love to see it.

[laohaire]

This doesn't answer your question since you did ask about the shot and not the Flumist - but for the record, Flumist sheds for up to 3 weeks. In other words, getting a does of the Flumist means you increase the risk of transmission to others.

The shot is inactivated so it's not the same. However, I can't answer the question of whether it reduces transmission. (Surely it can't eliminate it).

[newmum35]

Not a lot of time for a proper comment, but here is an informative blog I enjoyed:

http://www.beyondconformity.org.nz/B...8&PostID=39142

“In conclusion, our analysis suggests that aerosol transmission (inhaling <20μm droplet nuclei that reside in the air) is far more dominant than contact transmission for influenza”.

We’re not talking about the larger gobs of stuff from sneezing here. We’re talking about minute droplets, floating effortlessly around suspended in the air, for long periods of time.

My own opinion: I highly doubt vaxing to improve "carrier status" is going to do anything significant to help society even during times of a flu epidemic. If people want to "feel good" why not donate time or money to a worthy cause. Further lining the pocketbooks of the pharmaceutical companies does not help people in the longrun.