[catcher22]

Absolutely. I get the flu shot every single year. By choice.

It's a personal choice though.

However people who don't get the flu shot are stupid.

And being stupid is also a personal choice.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by minn19

I always thought it odd that anti vaccination folk shun medical science, but will follow/agree with somebody like Jenny McCarthy and her like minded group. I feel terrible about what happened to her child and others like them, but I also don’t appreciate her (and again like minded people) spreading false information about vaccines that harm many more children and adults for that matter.

I also found it extremely odd that she rails against vaccines as they are supposedly harmful to children (which, some are/may be), but then decides to endorse a vape product, which is undoubtedly 100% harmful to young (any) people and spreading quickly thanks to endorsements such as hers. It is truly an odd world we live in sometimes.

I agree in general, it is extremely strange the behaviour of some people. Its the same in medicine - I can't tell you the number of stories my doctor friends have told me about patients with serious issues (like cancer) decide to refuse medical treatment because they don't believe in it, but happily turn to naturopaths and swallow whatever they recommend for pills and believe them wholeheartedly.

It is frustrating to me to see this. And then inevitably, they return, with the cancer having spread and there's not much the doctors can do at that point, and of course, who gets blamed - why the doctor of course. Not the naturopath who basically fricking killed them by feeding them a bunch of BS and letting the cancer spread. I have zero respect for naturopaths.

Where I say I agree in general, is that I am not certain if you are drawing a link to anti vaccers and those that don't get the flu shot. I don't think you can if you are. I refused the flu shot for a while, and probably will go back to not getting it, but I will always be vaccinated and all of my kids are (and will continue to be). The flu shot isn't the same really as other vaccines, because those vaccines are treating a disease that is predictable and well known in terms of pathology (I think would be the correct term, but I'm not in medicine). And so they are highly effective at preventing that disease from occurring.

The flu shot, not so much. It might, it might not. They have to guess at the strains and make their choice. Which is why I support anyone who chooses to get the flu shot, and those that don't equally - it's a guess at the end of the day.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by perryo91

You are right, they are not "mandated" no one can mandate you to get a vaccine man. But unless you want the child or elder to get pneumonia then it's very recommended.

I guess I'll clarify, but if you think you can have a job in a daycare, hospital, or senior home without a flu shot, you are mistaken.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

I guess I'll clarify, but if you think you can have a job in a daycare, hospital, or senior home without a flu shot, you are mistaken.

Schools don't require it (at least not around here).

I personally have never had one, mainly cause I don't get sick often and I'm too lazy to actually go in for one. My wife gets them (most) years since she is a teacher and at higher risk of getting sick.

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

I guess I'll clarify, but if you think you can have a job in a daycare, hospital, or senior home without a flu shot, you are mistaken.

Oh yeah I'm sure for those guys if you dont get a flu shot you get written up or something

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

I agree in general, it is extremely strange the behaviour of some people. Its the same in medicine - I can't tell you the number of stories my doctor friends have told me about patients with serious issues (like cancer) decide to refuse medical treatment because they don't believe in it, but happily turn to naturopaths and swallow whatever they recommend for pills and believe them wholeheartedly.

It is frustrating to me to see this. And then inevitably, they return, with the cancer having spread and there's not much the doctors can do at that point, and of course, who gets blamed - why the doctor of course. Not the naturopath who basically fricking killed them by feeding them a bunch of BS and letting the cancer spread. I have zero respect for naturopaths.

Where I say I agree in general, is that I am not certain if you are drawing a link to anti vaccers and those that don't get the flu shot. I don't think you can if you are. I refused the flu shot for a while, and probably will go back to not getting it, but I will always be vaccinated and all of my kids are (and will continue to be). The flu shot isn't the same really as other vaccines, because those vaccines are treating a disease that is predictable and well known in terms of pathology (I think would be the correct term, but I'm not in medicine). And so they are highly effective at preventing that disease from occurring.

The flu shot, not so much. It might, it might not. They have to guess at the strains and make their choice. Which is why I support anyone who chooses to get the flu shot, and those that don't equally - it's a guess at the end of the day.

Its sad the amount misinformation spread on the internet. It even drives me crazy to question professional judgement over something I read over the internet. Its fascinating; now doctors have gone from wanting to save your life vs trying to kill you. No one want to be accountable. "I aint taking them pills!!!!I aint got no blood sugar!!! He just be writing on his pad all day".....proceeds to check-out with 2l coke and candy....easier to blame the MD than to face the reality of ones's choices.

Just reading what is spread on the internet; or facebook is appalling. I mean you can just about get all the information in the world. But do you have real world experience? Can you determine if a clinical trial was biased to influence results? Were appropriate patient pops studied? Or just did some tard writing some BS you took to be true? I fall victim daily, so not trying to sound self-righteous. But I digress, no one wants to be put in their place.

I highly doubt MD's are tryna milk you with a flu shot. Shit brings an AVg profit of about 20 bucks.

For all you anti-vaxxers. Have yall ever had polio or small pox? Think that shits cool. Its only eradicated BECAUSE OF VACCINES. think about that. You don't have to get the flu shot. You also don't have to exercise and eat right. You ain't gotta do shit. But don't spread BS with you WEbMD degree....no personal attacks; just ranting

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by perryo91

Oh yeah I'm sure for those guys if you dont get a flu shot you get written up or something

I would assume you would not be allowed to work anywhere near patient contact. It would be borderline negligent for the hospital for employees not to be vaccinated. To not create chaos, I assume you would be moved or something along those lines.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by perryo91

Oh yeah I'm sure for those guys if you dont get a flu shot you get written up or something

Not exactly, in my company you would be removed from any interaction with the patient. If they don’t have a job for you that doesn’t require that then you would be let go. But, thankfully everyone I work with takes patient safety seriously and not conspiracy theories/bad science or personal hunches.

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by minn19

Sort of wrong, it is mandated by my company (and probably all healthcare companies for employees that work with or around patients), which specializes in pediatrics. So unless I don’t feel like working for them anymore or don’t care about the ethics/morality of protecting our patients any way possible........sure it isn’t mandated.

How do you naysayers feel about the Hepatitis vaccines or Measles/Polio etc, both of which are either making a comeback or spreading faster because of lower vaccination rates?

I hear what you are saying. Some institutions or class of workers such as nurses, doctors, health care providers may be "required".

The term "mandated" is a legal term meaning: "...A judicial command, order, or precept, written or oral, from a court; a direction that a court has the authority to give and an individual is bound to obey..."

All that said though, even though it may be required at a place of employment there are, in fact, people with religious beliefs that prohibit them from receiving medical care and they would be well with in the bounds of legal precedent to say "no"to the requirement by their employer.

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by perryo91

You are right, they are not "mandated" no one can mandate you to get a vaccine man. But unless you want the child or elder to get pneumonia then it's very recommended.

And I think minn19 brings up a good point. Places of employment may require or strongly recommend vaccinations for flu, etc...

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

I hear what you are saying. Some institutions or class of workers such as nurses, doctors, health care providers may be "required".

The term "mandated" is a legal term meaning: "...A judicial command, order, or precept, written or oral, from a court; a direction that a court has the authority to give and an individual is bound to obey..."

All that said though, even though it may be required at a place of employment there are, in fact, people with religious beliefs that prohibit them from receiving medical care and they would be well with in the bounds of legal precedent to say "no"to the requirement by their employer.

Dunno about the religious part. If they believe what they believe than they probably wouldn’t be caregivers as whatever they believe in is the ultimate caregiver. I’m not sure how that would fly either as ones personal belief or rights doesn’t give them the right to put somebody else in danger/ultimately cause death.

[Xeeh]

I don't think I've ever gotten one. That's not because I'm super against it or anything. It's just not something I ever think about going to do.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Xeeh

I don't think I've ever gotten one. That's not because I'm super against it or anything. It's just not something I ever think about going to do.

Takes about 5-10 minutes at Walgreens. They even let you make an appointment so you don’t have to hang around waiting.

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by minn19

Dunno about the religious part. If they believe what they believe than they probably wouldn’t be caregivers as whatever they believe in is the ultimate caregiver. I’m not sure how that would fly either as ones personal belief or rights doesn’t give them the right to put somebody else in danger/ultimately cause death.

A person or employee can always say "no" that they refuse to be vaccinated for the flu on whatever grounds they choose. If they are a health care worker, or a worker in a company that "requires" flu vaccinations and they refuse, there will obviously be ramifications. The employee may have to make a choice, i.e. the front door or get a flu shot, but and employer cannot force their employee to be vaccinated.

Its an interesting topic. Here's a cool link:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-man...tate-reqs.html

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

A person or employee can always say "no" that they refuse to be vaccinated for the flu on whatever grounds they choose. If they are a health care worker, or a worker in a company that "requires" flu vaccinations and they refuse, there will obviously be ramifications. The employee may have to make a choice, i.e. the front door or get a flu shot, but and employer cannot force their employee to be vaccinated.

Its an interesting topic. Here's a cool link:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-man...tate-reqs.html

Agreed and that was what I was saying as well.

[SpenceRx]

I get it every year. Got to get the software patch.

[UncleWede]

I have had a few, but am declining for the near future. Here's why:

1) If it's a vaccine, why do I need to get another one every year? My immune system should already have the code to fight off all the versions I've already been exposed to with previous shots AND exposure thru the wild.

2) related: Is it not just an (educated) guess as to which flu will run rampant this year? And going back to 1), if I've already had all those variations in the past, why to I need another needle prick (I'm allergic to needles, which really sucks being in the high risk group of insulin-dependent diabetic)

3)I'm still torn by the idea that this is given via injection. How many of you contract the flu via it being injected into your arm? Shouldn't the front line of the immune system be the area we train FIRST?

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I have had a few, but am declining for the near future. Here's why:

1) If it's a vaccine, why do I need to get another one every year? My immune system should already have the code to fight off all the versions I've already been exposed to with previous shots AND exposure thru the wild.

2) related: Is it not just an (educated) guess as to which flu will run rampant this year? And going back to 1), if I've already had all those variations in the past, why to I need another needle prick (I'm allergic to needles, which really sucks being in the high risk group of insulin-dependent diabetic)

3)I'm still torn by the idea that this is given via injection. How many of you contract the flu via it being injected into your arm? Shouldn't the front line of the immune system be the area we train FIRST?

Great point!

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated as needed to keep up with changing flu viruses.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

I actually posed this question to my doctor years ago and she said that the Flu virus (as are most viruses) constantly mutate and evolve. Sucks for us.

[kscarrol]

Not a physician but #1, good question! As for #2, while I do get a flu shot every year (partly because my son is a type 1 like UncleWede), I wait until later in the season as they have a better feel for what strain is running rampant and get the adjusted vaccine. #3 There is a nasal mist though I seem to recall hearing it's not as effective in terms of immune system response and therefore effectiveness in preventing flu.

Back to #2, the flu virus is always mutating so the new strain in any given year may be different enough so that the antibodies you have from earlier shots/infections may not protect you.

At the end of the day it's kind of like buying extended warranty on your car. Given that there is no cost for this warranty, I take it.

Edit: And I see Marcus beat to some of my points!

[arkie6]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

At the end of the day it's kind of like buying extended warranty on your car. Given that there is no cost for this warranty, I take it.

No cost? You mean the drug manufacturer's do this for free?

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by arkie6

No cost? You mean the drug manufacturer's do this for free?

No it means if you have health insurance, you are paying for it in your premiums whether you get it or not. There is no additional cost to get it if you have health insurance. Some employers also offer it for free at the office and I’m certain there are programs for the poor to get them for free even without health insurance.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by arkie6

No cost? You mean the drug manufacturer's do this for free?

There is essentially no cost for the person receiving the vaccine. Nearly all health insurance plans, mine included, cover 100% of the flu shot without any co-pay or deductible. There are also plenty of locations that offer the shot for free to those who wish to have one, including many employers. For those on government assistance, the shot is provided at no cost within most hospitals, public health offices, and drug stores.