Many Americans to skip flu shot this year

[mama1803]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20101007...lushotthisyear

[13Sandals]

I keep thinking of everyone who got the H1N1 shot last year or was told by their doctor that they had H1N1. then they put the same H1N1 strain in the shot this year? Who wants to be vaccinated for something you have been told you are already immune to?

[Turquesa]

Ugh! What a preachy piece. Why don't they just be honest and classify it as an op/ed?

[Sileree]

"These include mistaken beliefs that there are other ways to protect yourself from flu"

Right, like an RCT showing vitamin D works better than a flu shot. Funny how they don't mention that.

I'm glad to hear that many Americans are not buying the hype.

Recommending flu shots for all is politically motivated. This nonsense that "the science evolved" for universal recommendation is utter crap.

Back in 2005, flu shot manufacturers told the government to increase uptake of seasonal flu vaccines among the population or else they would not produce a pandemic bird flu vaccine for them.

I have never gotten a flu vaccine, and I never will.

[littlec]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this article, it appears they only changed the recommended age ranges and included pregnant women so that the shots wouldn't be wasted.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15704744/

[littlec]

Originally Posted by Sileree

Right, like an RCT showing vitamin D works better than a flu shot. Funny how they don't mention that.

What is an RCT..and is there a link to this? Thanks.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by littlec

What is an RCT..and is there a link to this?

An RCT is a randomized controlled trial. If I had to guess, I'd say the allusion is to this, which says nothing about influenza vaccine.

[littlec]

Originally Posted by Otto

An RCT is a randomized controlled trial. If I had to guess, I'd say the allusion is to this, which says nothing about influenza vaccine.

Thank you. Well, at least it shows that there are "other" ways to protect yourself, lol.

[peainthepod]

These include mistaken beliefs that there are other ways to protect yourself from flu

Yeah, like good nutrition, hand-washing hygiene, and vitamin supplementation. None of those have ever worked for anyone, ever.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

Originally Posted by littlec

Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this article, it appears they only changed the recommended age ranges and included pregnant women so that the shots wouldn't be wasted.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15704744/

anyone know if any good articles/studies regarding the safety of flu vax, which now includes the H1N1? I am really concerned that my cousin may get this vaccine, we both have had early pregnancy losses and her hubby is military, so i will think there maybe more pressure for her to get the vaccine. I will be opting out, but I would like to share some information with her on the subject so she can make and informed decision.

[nia82]

PP, the military makes all active duty get the Flumist unless the member pays out of pocket for the shot at Safeway or elsewhere. I dont have any info on the safety of the new shot, I doubt there is as they say it is produced as always so it is safe in their eyes. At least tell her husband to not get the mist as it can potentially shed. DH always waits and sees before he gets it and we always pay out of pocket for it. Of course he is opposed to al shots and is the only one to get the flu shot in our house. And gosh he hates it.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by nia82

PP, the military makes all active duty get the Flumist unless the member pays out of pocket for the shot at Safeway or elsewhere. I dont have any info on the safety of the new shot, I doubt there is as they say it is produced as always so it is safe in their eyes. At least tell her husband to not get the mist as it can potentially shed. DH always waits and sees before he gets it and we always pay out of pocket for it. Of course he is opposed to al shots and is the only one to get the flu shot in our house. And gosh he hates it.

It depends on the military base. My husband got shots last year.

[nia82]

AFWIfe: Wow, both Vandenberg and Warren only give FluMist. He asked for the shot, but they said it is reserved for children and pregnant women. We had no other option than goin off-base (it's not expensive, but a pain since he is PRP).

[Pirogi]

Sometimes if you wait until the very last possible minute to get the flu vaccine, all the mist will be used up already, and they will only have the shot left.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by ILoveMyBabyBird

anyone know if any good articles/studies regarding the safety of flu vax, which now includes the H1N1?

No. There are no strongly designed, peer-reviewed studies supporting the safety of the influenza vaccine with the H1N1 strain.

Of the H1N1 vaccine, the WHO admits:

Because the pandemic virus is new, both non-clinical and clinical testing is being done to gain essential information on immune response and safety. The results of studies reported to date suggest the vaccines are as safe as seasonal influenza vaccines. However, even very large clinical studies will not be able to identify possible rare events that can become evident when pandemic vaccines are administered to many millions of people.

WHO advises all countries administering pandemic vaccines to conduct intensive monitoring for safety and report serious adverse events.

And:

Surveillance after vaccines have been sold (post-marketing surveillance) is being conducted to look for potential developments of serious adverse events.

Translation: We don't know yet. That's why we're experimenting on you, the public.