40% of Americans Don't Plan to Get a Flu Shot. They're Putting Others at Risk

[left-of-center2012]

Each year, doctors and public health officials urge virtually every American to get a flu shot. But a new poll suggests that many people don’t plan to follow that advice.

As of mid-November, 43% of American adults said they had already received a flu shot, according to a nationally representative survey of 1,200 people conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, an independent research institution.
But the majority of people who hadn’t been vaccinated already — 41% of the total sample — said they weren’t planning to get the shot at all.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for almost everyone older than six months of age, with very few exceptions for people with certain allergies or past medical conditions. While the efficacy of the flu shot isn’t perfect — during last year’s severe influenza season, it was around 36% — experts say it can reduce a person’s likelihood of getting sick and spreading the flu and lessen the severity of any illnesses that do occur.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s not too late. While it’s best to get the shot before the bulk of flu season hits, the CDC says it’s a good idea to get vaccinated as long as influenza viruses are still widely circulating — which they will be for at least the next three to four months.

http://time.com/5472530/flu-shot-2018-survey/

[lark]

1. Got mine Wed.

My old job required the shots and when I started getting them, voila, I stopped getting the flu. I retired at the end of last year so no longer get free shots from my employer. Luckily, it's a free benefit for Medicare patients, so I'm able to continue this smart practice. I highly recommend it for almost everyone. We had over 2000 people employed where I worked and I never heard of any issues from the shots in 20 years. There were some people excluded, so it's not for everyone, but I forget the conditions that caused involved.

[mickswalkabout41]

2. I don't get flu shots

Haven’t had the flu one time sincince I was 11. I’m 54...... I take supplements and eat to boost my immune system. Stick to organic and fresh whenever possible. So far, everyone I know who has gotten the flu shot eventually got athe flu. And if you’ve got the shot, why are you worried about those that don’t? Not getting it.

[genxlib]

7. To answer your question

There are groups of people who cannot get the shot for real medical reasons, like babies for instance.

The broader the use of the flu shot the less the virus circulates. That lessens exposure to the few who have legitimate reasons for not getting the shot.

Even for those with shots, the shot is only partially effective. Having fewer people around you that are sick still gives you a better chance of not getting sick.

It is a statistical problem based on the rate at which the virus can replicate. Lessening the rate of replication at any point in the chain improves the odds for everyone downstream.

[Aristus]

8. I presume by your low post-count that you're just here to stir up trouble. Well done.

There's so much ignorance to unpack in your post, I almost don't know where to start.

If by 'supplements' you mean vitamin supplements, you're wasting your money. Vitamins don't 'boost your immune system'.

'Organic and fresh' have nothing to do with influenza or preventing the spread of it. The influenza virus is spread through droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing.

No one you know has 'gotten the flu from the flu shot'. The influenza vaccine can't give you the flu. It contains a dead virus, which the immune system can still recognize and develop antibodies to, but won't make you ill. I see this time and time again in clinic. Someone gets the flu vaccine, later comes down with a common, garden-variety cold, and thinks it's the flu. There are also those out there who think the flu is gastrointestinal in nature ("stomach flu" ), rather than respiratory. So when they start vomiting, they think they have, and tell others they have, the flu.

And even if we get our vaccine, we need to be concerned about those who don't. Or rather, can't. Everyone who can get the vaccine needs to do so to provide herd immunity to protect those who are allergic to the vaccine. So we should worry about how those who decline the vaccine are potentially harming those who can't.

The usual ripost from anti-vaxxers to all of this is that the yearly vaccine doesn't always end up providing 100% immunity against the strain of influenza that eventually emerges. It's a case of 'a little learning is a dangerous thing'. Even an incorrectly-predicted strain can provide a partial immunity to the actual virus, an effectiveness which is rarely below 25%.

One hundred years ago, up to 500 million people worldwide were infected with the Spanish Flu, and anywhere from 10-20% of them died. Many more were infected with a less-virulent strain of the flu earlier that year, and acquired a partial immunity to the much deadlier strain that emerged later in 1918. As a result, they survived one of the deadliest epidemics in recorded history.

If we could have prevented even 25% of those deaths with a vaccine, it would have been worth it; a tremendous humanitarian achievement.

Stop spreading anti-vaxxer mis- and disinformation.

Long-time DU-ers will tell you about my medical knowledge, my medical ethics, and my medical integrity.

I've been here for seventeen years, and will be here long after you have bounced. I hope you get that, at least.

[NickB79]

13. Lots of fresh, organic food eaten 100 years ago

Didn't save those poor souls during that outbreak.

[Lucky Luciano]

14. Thx for dispelling the woo and having the patience to do so!

I’m getting a scrip right this second for my son who got the flu. He did get the shot - the doctor specifically said that the shot he received is why his symptoms are not so severe besides the fever - otherwise he would be totally miserable! I got the shot at work for free which is convenient. My wife didn’t get the shot as she is always busy being a housewife that overworks herself (total perfectionist who vacuums sometimes twice a day due to pet hair!) - so she procrastinated - I’m making her get it today! No excuses!!!

[mountain grammy]

21. Thanks

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. got it. better safe than sorry.

[left-of-center2012]

4. A friend of mine died from the flu

He was a "health nut" who believed if he ate right and took a ton of vitamins he wouldn't get sick.
He got the flu and died within a week.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. I get a free flu shot from the VA, so why not? There are lots of arguments to not get one, but...

it seems like a very simple and largely harmless thing to do with more benefit than downsides.

Needle phobia seems to have a lot to do with it.

[Aristus]

9. There is only one argument against: a genuine allergy to the vaccine.

Every other argument against is specious anti-vaxxer nonsense.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. I did not say they were good arguments, but the reward calculation isn't...

the same as for, say, the polio vaccine.

[skylucy]

6. Got mine, as did all members of my family. I do not understand the mentality of people who will not

do it. It is a simple act that protects OTHER people, not just yourself.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. You're only putting others at risk if you go out, especially to work,

when you have the flu. Which far too many people do.

Decent sick time ought to be federally mandated.

[NickB79]

12. You can be contagious before major symptoms kick in

Staying inside reduces your risk of infecting others, but so does getting your flu shot.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. Actually, you're only contagious one day before actually getting sick.

Which isn't terrific, but it's not very long. And again, if people would fucking stay home when they are sick it would make a huge difference. At least as large a difference as getting the flu shot.

Because I choose not to get a flu shot (haven't had flu in some 50 years, got it numerous times as a child, including the Asian Flu in 1957) I've been accused of being a non symptomatic carrier who maliciously spreads the flu. Actually, there's no such thing as a non symptomatic carrier.

[HockeyMom]

30. Another asymptomatic carrier about your age

Had the flu numerous times as a child and young adult. Definitely had it during those 1957 and 1968 Flu Pandemics. Swine Flu? Hong Kong Flu? Don't know. Today they just use letters and numbers. Never since I reached my 40's. Just turned 70 this year. Very close contact with people (husband and little kids in public schools) who had the flu. We are in that high risk group who needs herd immunity protection from others?

People have said it is even more important for us to get vaccinated; walking around with the flu and not so much as a sniffle. Now given that the vaccine is not 100% effective, but "if you do catch the flu and have been vaccinated, you symptoms will be less severe", or maybe still non-existent? So how will anyone know that?

Few things I have researched. There was a Flu Pandemic in 1886. The 1918 Spanish Flu hit the healthy young adult population greater than the older generation who had lived through that previous pandemic.

Same thing happened during our recent 2009 Flu Pandemic which affected younger people. I read it was the same strain as the 1957 Flu Pandemic so older adults who lived through that one had greater immunity. I was still working then and everyone was getting the flu, except the older staff members. Some were joking it looked more like a Retirement Community than a school. Our young classroom teacher not only got her flu shot, but wore a mask into class. She still got the flu and was out sick. I suppose all of we asymptomatic unvaccinated older staff members were spreading the flu all around? Of course it was not all those sneezing, coughing, little kids wiping these dirty hands on everything and everyone?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

31. There's no such thing as an asymptomatic flu carrier.

The presumption that there is such a thing is highly speculative at best. For one thing, unless whatever kind of blood test can be done to verify flu is present, is actually done, you'd have no idea. The real problem is that people who decide they don't have that bad a case because the symptoms aren't strong enough to keep them in bed, or who can't or believe they can't miss work go in and infect lots of others.

You have it exactly right about why older adults who'd been through the earlier flu pandemic for the most part didn't get sick in the 1918 one: they'd already had it and were immune. Not asymptomatic carriers. Immune.

Basically, the natural immunity you get from actually having flu is better and far more long lasting than what you get from the vaccination. Sort of like smallpox, although I'm not advocating that disease be let out again.

I understand quite clearly that there are populations who should get the shot. My younger brother, who had a kidney transplant more than a decade ago is one, and when I was visiting him last month I took him to a pharmacy to get the shot.

I've gotten the original shingles vaccination also, and am looking forward to the new one being more available so I can get that. My kids (now in their 30s) got all the vaccinations available in their childhood.

[ROB-ROX]

15. What are the odds??

I understand the big boys select which flu they think will be happening this year and inject the people. The odds of them selecting the correct bug is a crap shoot. I have been a "control" for 10 years and I have had no flu illness during this time. My wife has gotten the shot and she has had the flu each winter. Personally, I do not trust the drug companies. I have donated blood 55 times and I do not like needles.....

[lagomorph777]

19. Interesting how many newcomers seem to be anti-vaxers.

Remarkable correlation.

[Aristus]

22. See my post above.

I'll say it again: The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.

[littlemissmartypants]

17. 40% of Americans Don't Plan to Get a Flu Shot

And 100% of that 40% are flirting with disaster, if not for themselves and their families, then for the rest of us. They are just expressing their interest in becoming vectors and infecting others. Which is idiotic and self centered egotism. Vectors carry and spread the flu. Some vectors get sick, others don't and all of you people who think you don't need or simply just don't want to get the jab are selfish sons of bitches. DON'T BE A SOB. DON'T BE A VECTOR. GET THE JAB.

I have no patience with such idiocy.

[tiptonic]

18. Big Pharma

Just wondering how much Big Pharma will make off these shots.

[lagomorph777]

20. Interesting how many newcomers seem to be anti-vaxers.

Remarkable correlation.

[left-of-center2012]

25. "newcomers"

The profile says the poster has been here 6 years.

[Aristus]

23. Practically nothing.

The flu vaccine is not a big money-maker for Big Pharma. They manufacture the vaccine mainly because they are required to by government regulation. Plus, donating millions of doses of vaccine so pharmacies can dispense free flu shots is good PR.

Go peddle conspiracy theories somewhere else. We're all full-up here...

[RussBLib]

24. got mine

and the wife got hers, same as many years in a row

I don't think I've had the flu in over 20 years.

[Liberty Belle]

26. I'm not an anti-vaxxer, but I don't get the flu shots.

I just seem prone to bad reactions to lots of medications.

I always vaccinated my kids against chilidhood diseases (I'm old enough to remember the ravages of polio) and get vaccines when I travel for any serious diseases (except one vaccine i'm allergic to and can't take).

But since I seem to have pretty good natural immunities to flu, colds and other viruses -- I rarely get sick, even when I'm around others who are, and when I do, generally have very mild cases -- to me the discomfort of a shot (my arm always gets sore for days) is something I'd prefer to avoid. I have a lot of pain from car accidents that have left me with a permanently damaged shoulder, neck and back pain that never goes away. I just don't want any more disccomfort or potentially bad reactions. I'm allergic to probably a dozen medications.

In short, it's one thing to get a vaccine against something where if you catch it, there is a very high likelihood of serious consequences (such as yellow fever when I traveled to Central America; it has a high fatality rate) vs. flu where the fatality rate is low unless you're immune compromised or very elderly.

If others wish to get the shot, great, go for it. But don't denigrate those who don't, or make it sound as though we're anti-vaxxers. You haven't walked in other people's shoes.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

32. Thank you. Sensible post.

I do get tired of the accusations that those of us who don't get the flu shot are somehow murderers.

As I've posted, I got flu any number of times as a child, and maybe two or three other times in my 20s. This was long before the flu shot was common. I'm 70 years old and pretty much the healthiest person I know. It's shocking to me how poorly a lot of my age mates are doing. I attend high school reunions and of those still alive, it's incredibly easy to tell the ones who smoke, just for starters.

[MurrayDelph]

34. I'm in a similar situation

I get horrific reactions to flu shots (I am also allergic to many antibiotics, with a history of cellulitis and MRSA), so I have learned to avoid them, and as many people as possible during flu season, and count on (and thank) those that do get it for my being able to piggyback on their herd immunity.

On the other hand, I AM up-to-date on my measles, mumps, DPT, and shingles vaccinations, since I can take THOSE safely. So, when I can, I use science to protect myself and contribute to herd immunity.

[dawg day]

27. Some of those drugstore clinics are offering money to get your flu shot

I got a flu shot at Walgreens, and it was free, thank you, Mr. Obama. But then as I was leaving, they gave me a $5 gift certificate. They said it was because of the flu shot.

[radical noodle]

28. Good advice

except for those of us who can't. I just try to stay home during flu season.

[MFM008]

29. got mine weeks ago

still woke up sick today.
more cold and sore throat, but geez...

[SharonAnn]

33. Respiratory viruses (a cold) are not influenza which is much more serious.

My parents both got the flu 20 years ago and nearly died. Recovery took more than a month. It was a real lesson for me.