Does the flu shot really work?

[Ray_of_hope]

Many hospitals are requiring that employees get the flu vaccine. If we opt not to, then we must wear a mask at every patient encounter. Remember too, that it takes two weeks for an adequate antibody response after the flu vaccine. Some people have been exposed prior to getting the vaccine and if they get the flu w/i the two week window, they attribute it to the flu vaccine. Re: getting the flu from the flu vaccine:
(snipped) "No, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal spray. The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses that cannot cause illness. The nasal spray contains weakened live viruses. The weakened viruses only cause infection in the cooler temperatures found in the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas in the body where warmer temperatures exist."
Some people will still have reactions to the vaccine and the cdc link below lists reactions and people who should not get the vaccine.
Additionally, some vaccines contain a preservative Thimerosal, which some may react to. Link below from fda re: Thimerosal. I do get it every year because when I get the flu, it's always been severe. (I try to get the Thimerosal-free vaccine though if I'm given the choice). But I can certainly understand why others don't choose to opt for the flu vaccine.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228

http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/vaccination/

 

[Ray_of_hope]

"If You're Age 65 and Older

The choices include the regular flu shot (standard dose of the trivalent), the high-dose flu shot (double dose of trivalent), the quadrivalent flu shot (a new four-strain version) and the egg-free shot called Flucelvax."

snipped from: http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-10-2013/types-of-flu-shots.html

"In fact, the high-dose vaccine was developed to address concerns that the standard-dose shot doesn't work very well in people 65 and older, the very group most likely to be hospitalized or die from flu complications." (snipped from AARP link above).
Hope this helps, I'm linking everything so you can read further.

 

[LinasK]

Many hospitals are requiring that employees get the flu vaccine. If we opt not to, then we must wear a mask at every patient encounter. Remember too, that it takes two weeks for an adequate antibody response after the flu vaccine. Some people have been exposed prior to getting the vaccine and if they get the flu w/i the two week window, they attribute it to the flu vaccine. Re: getting the flu from the flu vaccine:
(snipped) "No, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal spray. The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses that cannot cause illness. The nasal spray contains weakened live viruses. The weakened viruses only cause infection in the cooler temperatures found in the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas in the body where warmer temperatures exist."
Some people will still have reactions to the vaccine and the cdc link below lists reactions and people who should not get the vaccine.
Additionally, some vaccines contain a preservative Thimerosal, which some may react to. Link below from fda re: Thimerosal. I do get it every year because when I get the flu, it's always been severe. (I try to get the Thimerosal-free vaccine though if I'm given the choice). But I can certainly understand why others don't choose to opt for the flu vaccine.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228

http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/vaccination/

The thing about wearing the masks is that it won't protect you from unknowingly touching a contaminated surface. When I worked in nursing homes, and I did frequently wash my hands (15-20x/day), I still contracted the flu by picking up a patient chart that another therapist handled who got the flu at the same time as I did.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

The thing about wearing the masks is that it won't protect you from unknowingly touching a contaminated surface. When I worked in nursing homes, and I did frequently wash my hands (15-20x/day), I still contracted the flu by picking up a patient chart that another therapist handled who got the flu at the same time as I did.

You are so right LinasK, good point. If the healthcare worker does not wash their hands they can also transmit it.

 

[trenchmouth]

I worked in nursing homes and hospitals for 13 years as a therapist. Your point is???

You just seem to have an over the top interest in pushing the flu shot. That's all.

 

[Tulessa]

Guys, I need prayers. I can't shake this flu.

 

[LinasK]

You just seem to have an over the top interest in pushing the flu shot. That's all.

That's because I believe in the effectiveness of vaccines. You could call me a Pro-Vaxxer.

 

[LinasK]

Guys, I need prayers. I can't shake this flu.

Hoping you feel better Tulessa.:hug:raying:

 

[bluesneakers]

Guys, I need prayers. I can't shake this flu.

:grouphug:

 

[Springrain]

I'm very young, but I am not really a believer in flu shots. I very rarely get sick anyhow; I have had 2 flu shots, and I contracted the flu after 1 of the shots.

 

[LinasK]

I'm very young, but I am not really a believer in flu shots. I very rarely get sick anyhow; I have had 2 flu shots, and I contracted the flu after 1 of the shots.

:banghead:Read this thread. It's unlikely what you got was the full-on flu, or your immunization hadn't taken effect- it takes a good two weeks before you have immunity. You have been lucky so far due to herd immunity. You really need to get the flu shots.

 

[Springrain]

:banghead:Read this thread. It's unlikely what you got was the full-on flu, or your immunization hadn't taken effect- it takes a good two weeks before you have immunity. You have been lucky so far due to herd immunity. You really need to get the flu shots.

I read part of the thread. I think everyone will have a different experience. And I did get the vaccination, about a week and a half or two, I believe, later I caught a bad flu in 2010. I had a fever of 105-106. I vomited and I never have since. I just prefer being very cleanly, using plenty of bleach wipes, washing hands frequently. I do that around flu season and am fine.

 

[bluesneakers]

:banghead:Read this thread. It's unlikely what you got was the full-on flu, or your immunization hadn't taken effect- it takes a good two weeks before you have immunity. You have been lucky so far due to herd immunity. You really need to get the flu shots.

I don't know why people don't understand this, or how they don't understand they're putting other people at risk.

I'm going to start a campaign: "Get a flu shot for someone who can't."

 

[trenchmouth]

Government has paid out over $3 billion in claims for vaccine injury and death since 1998. Vaccines have real side effects. Do your own research and decide for yourself. I quit vaccinating all my children and do not get flu shots. There's too much money to be made by pharmaceutical companies and the efficacy is over stated and the side effects not openly discussed.

 

[LinasK]

I read part of the thread. I think everyone will have a different experience. And I did get the vaccination, about a week and a half or two, I believe, later I caught a bad flu in 2010. I had a fever of 105-106. I vomited and I never have since. I just prefer being very cleanly, using plenty of bleach wipes, washing hands frequently. I do that around flu season and am fine.

As good as handwashing and bleach are, you're still not protected from someone coughing or sneezing on you. There is no substitute for the shot. When you got the shot your immune system hadn't had enough time for the vaccine to kick in.

 

[LinasK]

Government has paid out over $3 billion in claims for vaccine injury and death since 1998. Vaccines have real side effects. Do your own research and decide for yourself. I quit vaccinating all my children and do not get flu shots. There's too much money to be made by pharmaceutical companies and the efficacy is over stated and the side effects not openly discussed.

I have done my own research and decided for myself. I believe in science. Me, my husband, and child all get vaccinated and always will. This is NOT a big pharma conspiracy!! If you don't have an allergy to eggs or Guillan-Barre, your risks are minimal.

 

[La Louve]

I read part of the thread. I think everyone will have a different experience. And I did get the vaccination, about a week and a half or two, I believe, later I caught a bad flu in 2010. I had a fever of 105-106. I vomited and I never have since. I just prefer being very cleanly, using plenty of bleach wipes, washing hands frequently. I do that around flu season and am fine.

It's very likely you caught a strain of flu that wasn't a match to the vaccine you received.

BBM "At least two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that flu vaccine will protect a person from flu illness: 1) characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health), and 2) the similarity or "match" between the flu viruses the flu vaccine is designed to protect against and the flu viruses spreading in the community. During years when the flu vaccine is not well matched to circulating viruses, it’s possible that no benefit from flu vaccination may be observed. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

"Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including when they begin, how severe they are, how long they last and which viruses will spread. There were more uncertainties than usual going into the 2009-2010 flu season because of the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called “novel H1N1” or “swine flu&#8221 in the spring of 2009. This virus caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease caused by a novel influenza virus) in more than 40 years. The United States experienced its first wave of 2009 H1N1 activity in the spring of 2009, followed by a second, larger wave of 2009 H1N1 activity in the fall and winter, during typical “flu season” time for the U.S. For information about 2009 H1N1 flu, visit the CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu website."

"The 2009-2010 flu season began very early, with 2009 H1N1 viruses predominating and causing high levels of flu activity much earlier in the year than during most regular flu seasons. Activity peaked in October and then declined quickly to below baseline levels by January. While activity was low and continuing to decline, 2009 H1N1 viruses were still reported in small numbers through the spring and summer of 20101. Additional information about flu activity during the 2009-2010 season can be found in the MMWR article Update: Influenza Activity - United States, 2009-10 Season." http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pastseasons/0910season.htm

 

[La Louve]

Government has paid out over $3 billion in claims for vaccine injury and death since 1998. Vaccines have real side effects. Do your own research and decide for yourself. I quit vaccinating all my children and do not get flu shots. There's too much money to be made by pharmaceutical companies and the efficacy is over stated and the side effects not openly discussed.

BBM please provide a link for this statement. TIA

 

[LinasK]

Government has paid out over $3 billion in claims for vaccine injury and death since 1998. Vaccines have real side effects. Do your own research and decide for yourself. I quit vaccinating all my children and do not get flu shots. There's too much money to be made by pharmaceutical companies and the efficacy is over stated and the side effects not openly discussed.

So is it only the flu shot you don't get or have you vaccinated your children for Polio??? Do you think it's a CIA conspiracy?

 

[trenchmouth]

They have all had their immunizations up to a certain age. If I could do over I would have only had them get a few vaccinations and would have spread them out.