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[ced]

However I have never gotten the flu.

Have you ever had a cold?

If so, how do you know it was rhinovirus and not influenza virus?

 

[Brianimaniac]

From the article:

There’s another important reason to get a flu shot, even if you’re healthy. Every person who is susceptible to the flu is a stepping stone the virus can use to reach the elderly and sick. Those people are the most vulnerable to flu complications like pneumonia—and the most likely to die from flu.

Do you live on a solitary island lol.

Not far from it. I live by myself and don't have a job. I don't leave the house often either because I have a herniated disc that I'll probably need surgery to fix. They tried injections, but it only helped maybe 10%.

 

[HylianTom]

I had my shot on Monday morning.

Monday evening and all day Tuesday? Miserable body aches. It happens every year. But work requires it, so..

 

[marrec]

Please people, get the shot, increase herd immunity.

I hate getting the flu and it happens almost every year because I'm unable to get vaccinated but other people who are perfectly able to get vaccinated choose not to and infect me.

I'm otherwise healthy so it's not too much trouble, but there are people out there who are immunocompromised in one way or another who could very well die if you infect them with the flu because you're too stubborn to get a shot.

 

[Suikoguy]

I had my shot on Monday morning.

Monday evening and all day Tuesday? Miserable body aches. It happens every year. But work requires it, so..

It really is interesting how some people seem to have a reaction to it.
I got mine and the only side effect was some very minor soreness near the injection site for about 48 hours.

 

[spuckthew]

I'm not saying there aren't tremendous benefits if lots of people take the flu shot, but I've personally never taken it. I've also never got the flu. I've got colds where I've felt pretty groggy, sure, but I've never been crippled by one or had bad fevers (knocks on wood).

I used to be pretty impervious to getting sick (circa college years and my first year of real work - no time off in like 4 years), but in the last couple of years I seem to be quite prone to getting a cold. I just blamed my working environment (a school) and now my commute (train), or maybe I've developed allergies or something.

 

[vacantseas]

Just got a free one offered by work the other day. havent gotten the flu the past three years i've had one. couldnt be hurting any.

 

[Iorv3th]

It really is interesting how some people seem to have a reaction to it.
I got mine and the only side effect was some very minor soreness near the injection site for about 48 hours.

Caused my hands to swell up really badly.

Have you ever had a cold?

If so, how do you know it was rhinovirus and not influenza virus?

I guess I don't know. But if I ever get feeling that bad I go to my GP and I thought they could do a flu test. Last time that happened was over 7 years ago and they didn't say anything about the flu.

 

[Joni]

Please people, get the shot, increase herd immunity.

For European guidelines it is enough to do 75% of old people, chronic sick, young children and those coming into contact with those groups
http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/seasonal_influenza/vaccines/pages/influenza_vaccination.aspx

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Look at the all the posters with their asses hanging out in here claiming they don't get sick from flu when it's the herd immunity from more sensible people helping to stop the spread of the virus.

You assholes are directly benefiting from socially responsible people. Don't forget that. Strong immune system my arse.

 

[ced]

Look at the all the posters with their asses hanging out in here claiming they don't get sick from flu when it's the herd immunity from more sensible people helping to stop the spread of the virus.

You assholes are directly benefiting from socially responsible people. Don't forget that. Strong immune system my arse.

They also don't know the difference in a cold and flu.

 

[Xe4]

Have gotten it every year since 2011. That year only my supervisor and I got flu shots. The other ten people in our office did not.

The other ten all ended up getting the flu. My supervisor and I did not.

That's not how it works. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. Period. You and your boss got lucky, and what you stated is a horrible reason to not get the flu vaccine. It can only improve your odds.

No, and I never do.

50% isn't great odds, I haven't caught the flu in many years anyway, and the shot can have some adverse side effects (muscle stiffness and cold-like symptoms).

You'd be better off just washing your hands more frequently.

No you wouldn't. Nothing is a replacement for getting vaccinated. Washing your hands is important, but the flu vaccine is viatal.

Here's a good video why even a less effective vaccine is still important.
https://youtu.be/LsTR6DYzPvI

Never gotten one. Mostly because Myth number 2. I am invincible it seems.

No you aren't, and there's no reason not to get one. Why would you not improve your chances even more?

Never gone for one, but I also haven't been sick in about 3 years, and I think i have only had the flu maybe twice in my life (usually just minor cold symptoms).

Kids and the elderly should for sure though as it can definitely cause complications.

You can prevent children and elderly from getting the flu by getting vaccinated. And if you think minor cold symptoms are the flue (not sure, your statement wasn't clear), you didn't get the flu. Unless you feel like you are literally going to die, you probably don't have the flu.

Last time I had it was the 7th grade, and it was horrible. 103 degree fever, didn't want to eat, could barely sit up (at one point I couldn't even sit on the toilet for me than a minute or two before collapsing onto the floor). I was absolutely miserable for a full week, and have gotten the flu vaccine ever since.

I haven't had good experiences with flu shots. I get sick when I get the shot, and then I get sick again a few weeks later anyways. But it seems like I got them when they were less effective?

That was probably bad luck, coincedence, or you already had the flu. All a flu shot can do is improve your chances in staying healthy. There's no reason not to get it.

I never got flu shots until 2 years ago when work would bring someone in to give everyone free shots. Got the shots. Got sick. I'm not getting the shots again.

That's not how it works. See above.

I'll usually take my chances. I'm no anti vaxxer but the effectiveness seems so random.

Even a small difference in infection and transmission rate makes a large difference.
https://youtu.be/LsTR6DYzPvI

Haven't had a flu shot since my freshman year of college, which was way back in 2000.

The last time I actually had the flu? You guessed it: 2000.

Haven't had either since.

See above. Coincidence. Like another poster said, that's like saying the last time you got in a car wreck was when you were wearing a seatbelt. Now you don't wear a seatbelt, and you haven't gotten in a wreck since!

I have never had the flu shot (well since I was in college in 2009).

...and I've never had the flu.

So...yeah.

You've been lucky! Still, there's no reason not to get a flu vaccine. All it does is even make it less likely you will get the flu. And you can save people's lives.

And the absolute #1 reason you should always get the flu shot.

I had a friend die of the flu growing up since then I have always got one. Damn now I'm crying at work.

You can save someone's life. Thousanda of people die from the flu every year, and vaccines only work when most people get them. So get vaccinated every year!

 

[Spyware]

That's not how it works. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. Period. You and your boss got lucky, and what you stated is a horrible reason to not get the flue vaccine. It an only improve your odds.

I dunno how you did it but somehow I think you managed to read that one completely backwards

 

[Suikoguy]

Caused my hands to swell up really badly.

That's... just bizarre. You don't happen to be allergic to eggs do you?

Anyways, that makes it all the more important for others to get the flu shot for those who can't.

 

[Meffer]

I get mine because I work at a hospital. It's required and it's free.

 

[Ghostshark]

I got my shot as soon as I could, which timed up perfectly with my doctor's appointment. Promptly, I forgot about it, and got my blood pressure taken minutes later on the exact spot of the injection. That was the first time a flu shot has caused quite a bit of pain.

 

[KorrZ]

The last time I can remember getting the flu was the last time I got the shot. Low and behold, I haven't gotten the shot and no flu since!

 

[Tedesco!]

That's not how it works. See above.

I guess you're a better person than I am. Those two times I was sick was the sickest I've ever been. I have no desire to relive that experience for 3-4 days every year.

 

[Chezzymann]

In 30 years I had the flu once so it's just not worth it to me.

You're probably just leeching off people who actually did get a flu shot

 

[Septimus Prime]

I was just arguing with my wife this morning about whether or not to get our son his first flu shot. In the end, I won, and he got the shot, but it's fucking ridiculous that these anti-vax dipshits got so much traction that this was even in contention.

 

[SaganIsGOAT]

Wait, these help with congestion?

 

[Chezzymann]

Any good scholarly articles explaining how herd immunity is real so I can try to convince people that doubt it? I tried googling it but all I could find were conspiracy theorist stuff from quality sites like "stopmandatoryvaccination.com"

 

[nocturnalis]

I'm sick right now with a sinus infection. Can I get the flu shot?

 

[Already Torn]

I have to get one or I wouldn't.

 

[Toxi]

What do you expect from gamers? Anything less than 85% is not worth getting.

Even 85% is Fire Blast territory.

 

[Syncytia]

Any good scholarly articles explaining how herd immunity is real so I can try to convince people that doubt it? I tried googling it but all I could find were conspiracy theorist stuff from quality sites like "stopmandatoryvaccination.com"

Only browsed through very quickly, but seems sufficient.

http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/52/7/911.full

Edit: Also this gif may help

 

[Sesuadra]

I get every shot, except for the flu shot. I just never think of it there is not a lot of "go get your flu shot" talk in Germany.
But I also can't remember if I ever had the flu in my life.

Next year I've to refresh my FSME tho.

 

[spuckthew]

They also don't know the difference in a cold and flu.

For the record, I alluded to the differences in my post just above. I know flu is far worse; it's definitely not a cold. You get the flu, you're out for days. My parents have had it a couple times so I know what it can do to folks.

 

[Clearos]

Not getting one because i get sick maybe once a year with a small cold and that is about it.

reading into it: I'm an invincible man who won't learn his lesson until something goes horribly wrong.

 

[Xe4]

I guess you're a better person than I am. Those two times I was sick was the sickest I've ever been. I have no desire to relive that experience for 3-4 days every year.

You won't get sick though, that's what I'm saying. In fact, you are much less likely to get the flu.

Any good scholarly articles explaining how herd immunity is real so I can try to convince people that doubt it? I tried googling it but all I could find were conspiracy theorist stuff from quality sites like "stopmandatoryvaccination.com"

On top of what Synchtia put, here's a good simulation to run, so you can see hands on how it works.

http://www.software3d.com/Home/Vax/Immunity.php

Edit: here's another one for measles (very infectious, and coming back cause of fucking antivaxxer idiots.)
http://fred.publichealth.pitt.edu/measles/

 

[adamantypants]

I get the flu probably every other year. I didn't get it last year.

I'll probably do the same thing this year and drive by the CVS right next to my place and ignore the sign that says "FLU SHOTS GIVEN HERE"

 

[Zackat]

I am required to get one due to working in a hospital.

I would get it anyway though, the flu is fucking awful.

 

[Bustanen]

Nope haven't gotten one after the swine flu vaccine caused narcolepsy in Finland (and Sweden IIRC) I'm rarely sick anyways so why even bother?

 

[Hazmat]

We got 'em at work years back, and one guy turned it down with a very 25-year-old "Psh, I don't get sick." He got the flu, and then bronchitis or something that lingered for a long time. It was fun breaking his balls about that until he got the shot the next year.

 

[Tedesco!]

You won't get sick though, that's what I'm saying. In fact, you are much less likely to get the flu.

Personal experience disagrees with you. The only times I got sick were the times I got the shot. Those experiences were awful; worse than food poisoning.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Death from the flu is like the bottom of my list of concerns. Staying home sick and playing video games is one of my favorite things to do.

No shot this year for me!

Spoiler

They were doing them in my office yesterday but I was out..

 

[FoxnHurley]

It's been 10 years since I last had a flu shot. Haven't had the flu since the age of 16 *knock on wood*. I remember one year working at a hospital that the DON insisted staff get theirs to protect the patients during bedside care. I declined, which she wasn't at all please with, but my choice, lady. Sure enough all four CNA's and one nurse became extremely ill (bed ridden) several days after receiving the shot. The DON had to bring in a bunch of temps from agencies until her staff was able get on their feet again, which took about a week.

While I think the flu vaccine is great for the elderly (the last thing you want is the flu to develop into pneumonia, especially if the host is older than 65), I feel confident enough on take my chances by using precautionary measures not involving the vaccination.

 

[ScatheZombie]

Maybe time to read the article?

I think it's ironic that the article actually lists the statistics that reaffirm the myths they are trying to debunk. It's a 'myth' that the flu shot isn't effective; yet it's usually <50% effective. It's a 'myth' that you don't need a flu shot; yet only about 5%-10% actually get the flu. It's a 'myth' that the flu shot gives you the flu; yet it's not entirely uncommon to feel very mild symptoms (i.e. general shittiest) after getting the shot.

So, technically, they aren't really myths. It is relatively ineffective, you are unlikely to get the flu anyway and it can make you feel crappy for a day or two.

But get it anyway.

 

[SeanTSC]

http://vitals.lifehacker.com/don-t-let-these-myths-scare-you-away-from-a-flu-shot-1787136173



Are you getting the flu shot this year? If not, why not?

No, and I never do. Due to my disabilities I rarely ever leave my house and I've gotten a flu virus maybe twice in 33 years. It takes a lot for me to go out in the first place and I'm not going to do it just for a flu shot given how little contact I have with others to begin with.

 

[Messofanego]

I think it's ironic that the article actually lists the statistics that reaffirm the myths they are trying to debunk. It's a 'myth' that the flu shot isn't effective; yet it's usually <50% effective. It's a 'myth' that you don't need a flu shot; yet only about 5%-10% actually get the flu. It's a 'myth' that the flu shot gives you the flu; yet it's not entirely uncommon to feel very mild symptoms (i.e. general shittiest) after getting the shot.

So, technically, they aren't really myths. It is relatively ineffective, you are unlikely to get the flu anyway and it can make you feel crappy for a day or two.

But get it anyway.

50% effective is better than 0%. Other posts have covered this. You're not getting the flu from a flu shot, period, those symptoms must be from some other source.

Guys, don't let anyone in this thread try to bully you into taking the shot. I work in a very busy emergency room. I don't get the flu shot and I haven't gotten the flu since 2009 when I was forced to take the flu shot. It's personal preference.

You know this is very anti-vaxxer speak? People who don't understand herd immunity or how vaccines work and think it's personal preference (especially parents who avoid giving it to their kids) instead of affecting others around you. It's a super selfish stance to take. Some important stuff needs to be hammered into people's heads, cause it can be very damaging if you're ignorant. You're not getting sick THANKS to herd immunity of others being vaccinated so you don't get the flu. You don't have an amazing immune system or anything.

 

[BHK3]

I rarely get my flu shot, everytime I do I become as sick as a dog, same thing happens to my brother and mom too. They get sick at a normal rate but I don't, so when I DO get sick it's the worse shit ever and it'd be easier to just die and get it over with.

 

[Izayoi]

I never would have pinned GAF as a safe-haven for anti-vaxxers, but the amount of selfish and ignorant statements in this thread are making me rethink that...

Absolutely unbelievable. You are actively harming those around you. You can harbor a virus without being symptomatic. Something that might be a minor inconvenience to you can KILL OTHER PEOPLE.

Especially disappointed with the person who works at a hospital. You would be fired at my institution, and rightfully so - I would happily show you the door. Insanely irresponsible.

 

[Boogie9IGN]

I think I got them a year or two ago cause they were free at work but tbh, I kinda like gettin sick for a few days and staying home from work

 

[Joni]

I never would have pinned GAF as a safe-haven for anti-vaxxers, but the amount of selfish and ignorant statements in this thread are making me rethink that...

Absolutely unbelievable. You are actively harming those around you. You can harbor a virus without being symptomatic. Something that might be a minor inconvenience to you can KILL OTHER PEOPLE.

Especially disappointed with the person who works at a hospital. You would be fired at my institution, and rightfully so - I would happily show you the door. Insanely irresponsible.

Most countries have local recommendations on flu shots which most GAF users would fall outside of. As a 15-50 year old with no chronic health issues and no work related to health care/children/birds for instance, the shot is not recommended and thus not refunded for me. This for instance compared to the mandatory polio one, and the heavily recommended other ones like measles, tetanus, hepatitis. I'm personally even vaccinated to Meningitis A and C. For the European CDC I'm simply not asked for a flu one.

 

[Copenap]

You're probably just leeching off people who actually did get a flu shot

Sure if that makes you feel better.

 

[KrellRell]

This thread makes my head hurt.

The flu can be fatal. The flu is also contagious. You can carry and spread the flu without getting sick *gasp. Stop being selfish and get the shot.

Oh, I guess some people have to pay for it, wtf. Should be free everywhere, yay Canada.

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

I'm not scientifically illiterate, so I always get one.

I also have family members who can get violently ill from the flu, so it isn't worth the risk.

 

[YourMaster]

I've never considered getting a flu shot, and really wouldn't. I've never gotten the flu, and getting a shot seems really inconvenient. And counterproductive as well, as I think I would have a much bigger chance of getting sick if I would get one.

Not from the shot itself, but I assume I'd have to go to a doctors office or hospital and those are the number one places to get sick.
Herd immunity would only be an argument if there's actually a large percentage of people being immune, but I believe around here besides people in the medical profession most people getting the shot are those on who it's actually less effective anyway, the already sickly.

 

[Pau]

That was probably bad luck, coincedence, or you already had the flu. All a flu shot can do is improve your chances in staying healthy. There's no reason not to get it.

It's always felt like I was getting sick twice in the season (once with symptoms along with the flu shot even if it wasn't because of it and once again with the actual flu) instead of just once. But like I said, I didn't know the effectiveness varied so much year to year so yeah, I just got unlucky.

I still get the flu shot more often than not, but with my luck I have to be sure I'm not doing anything important the next two days because I will most likely get sick.

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

I've never considered getting a flu shot, and really wouldn't. I've never gotten the flu, and getting a shot seems really inconvenient. And counterproductive as well, as I think I would have a much bigger chance of getting sick if I would get one.

Not from the shot itself, but I assume I'd have to go to a doctors office or hospital and those are the number one places to get sick.

Wut.

That's not how it works.

These threads frustrate the fuck out of me.