I have had them get the flu shot over the past couple of years, but mostly in response to a horrible case of the flu my son get when he was just over a year old. That was the most frightened I've ever been about the health of my child and I guess I don't want to relive it -- even though I know the statistics that you've stated are true. I never said I was rational! :)

From the linked article on Thimerosal:

"A preservative-free version of the inactivated influenza vaccine (contains trace amounts of thimerosal) is available in limited supply at this time for use in infants, children and pregnant women."

So there's a version out there you can get that addresses your concerns. Pretty much every medical and governmental body recommends getting vaccinations and the flu shot. Yet the Internet Rumor Mill continues to churn out reasons not to, most of them not backed by any sort of scientific rigor, and people keep believing them -- and not getting either the flu shot or vaccinations.

If this was only a bad thing for the families that choose not to vaccinate, that would be one thing. However, it's not. Cases of the measles have cropped up now when a sick kid was taken to the pediatrician and other kids picked it up. The doctors haven't seen it, and so it goes misdiagnosed.

Flu shots also can be taken prior to flu season. I got mine sometime in early November, prior to the real peaking for flu season, to allow for the two-week period in which my body would develop to antibodies to pass. My wife, 3 year old, and infant daughter all got theirs, too. I also wash my hands well, to further reduce my exposure and the exposure of others. We wash the hands of the infant and have ingrained it into the preschooler.

Also, you are contributing to the problem when you take yourself into the office in an infectious state and making the problem worse for everyone.

You state that the Mayo Clinic is against the flu vaccine, but the link you provided says no such thing.
For me, I'm with the Mayo Clinic on this one: the flu shot is your best bet for avoiding influenza.
I also recommend avoiding irresponsible journalism (i.e., this column).

Actually, I say that the Mayo Clinic is for handwashing, not against vaccination. But I can see how my phrasing was confusing to you. Sorry! Thanks for commenting. -- LMA

The Flu shot is nothing but BS.

Nobody needs it.

What did prior generations do before it was available?

Eat square meals and get 8hrs of sleep every night. You'll be fine.

Please don't misrepresent others - the Mayo Clinic site recommends thorough hand-washing with or without the flu shot. They DO NOT suggest skipping the flu vaccine (expect in certain circumstances). In fact, they quote that the CDC recommends the flu shot for children 6 months to 18 years.
Hard to take much from the rest of your article with such blatant misdirection.

Thanks, S. I didn't mean that the Mayo Clinic suggests hand washing in lieu of vaccination, but that I agreed with the fact that handwashing is important and one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. -- LMA

Lots of soapy handwashing is all well and good for prevention, but the extra step of getting a flu shot gives you one more possible line of defense. Every little bit, right?

And let's not forget the fact that most people who have "the flu" do NOT have the influenza virus, a debilitating illness. They have a form of rhino virus - the common cold.

With respect to the comments that the "flu shot is nothing but BS", the natural history of non-vaccinated individuals during infectious outbreaks was somewhat predictable, and ranged from no illness to death. Lots of death, if you consider of the flu pandemic of 1918. If you refuse to be vaccinated, you are in effect depending on others (many of whom were vaccinated) to not transmit the flu to you - you are, in effect, a parasite.

I agree with you. That is what my pregnant self and 2 year old did. We made sure that we are sleeping well, washing hands, eating healthy, and basic common sense. I understand some vaccines, but why are we injecting our 2 day old babies with a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease? Some common sense goes a long way.

If the medical industrial complex had not mismanaged the issue of heavy metals (like Thimerosal) in vaccines, then we probably wouldn't be having this discussion. Don't blame parents, blame the pharmaceutical companies and those who dispense the vaccinations.

And a flu shot is no guarantee of anything. It could certainly help, but if you or your child is exposed to a strain the body does not know how to combat, it will develop a fever in response. Life goes on.

I am an MD an I will never give my children a flu shot! It is a good idea for the elderly.

Whether on not I get the shot, I make sure the kids (3 & 5) get a flu shot every year. My job as a dad is to do what I can to keep them healthy. No vaccine is 100 % effective, and the flu shot is no exception. It will not protect you against all strains, but that is no excuse not to vaccinate your kids. It will also not protect you against other non-flu viruses. However, to not get your kids one for this reason is akin to saying that seat belts won't protect you in all car crashes, so why bother using them.

With or without insurance, the shots are cheap. Keep your kids healthy if you can.

You imply that the Mayo Clinic recommends handwashing over vaccination for flu prevention- not true. Handwashing is the best method for preventing the spread of all infectious illnesses, but vaccination is still the best defense we have against the devastating complications of influenza.
It is true that each year's vaccine is determined by previous years' data. This is much like predicting the weather- the prediction is as accurate as one can be when using science to predict nature! This years vaccine is a good match for the strains of flu that are starting to appear, and it is still not too late to protect people from the flu.
As a critical care nurse, I have seen healthy young adults with the flu. Their treatment involved weeks on the ventilator, not a few days on the couch with a box of tissues.
When people use the terms "cold and flu" they are confusing two distict illnesses. Cold and flu symptoms are usually mild viral illnesses. Influenza is a serious problem that takes lives every year.

Edited the line in the post to minimize the confusion. I'm with the Mayo Clinic in thinking that handwashing is important, and I'll take that over the flu shot. Hope that helps!-- LMA

Michelle Villers said she hoped her daughter's death might at least alert others.

"After my daughter's funeral in August, my son got sick in September with very similar symptoms," she said. "It turned out he just had strep throat. But parents need to press their doctor for tests, ask for tests, and keep pressing until you get results. My daughter, she had symptoms that just looked like the cold or like the flu. You hear of people dying of pneumonia, but it's usually older people. Not a 19-year-old in the prime of her life."

With all due respect, to you and to the Villers, Paige Viller didn't die from the flu. (Full story is here: http://tinyurl.com/8mlsoy) She had a very rare type of adenovirus, which causes the common cold -- and isn't prevented by the flu shot. -- LMA

I am with you on the flu shot. I've never had one - of course I'm allergic to eggs so no doctor in their right mind would give me an egg-based shot anyway. The only one in my family who used to get the flu shot was my father who had a heart transplant and therefore no immune system. In the years that he was with us and enjoyed being with my daughter, I did have her get the shot so as not to infect him. But other than that, I've never had it, my family's never had it, and we've had plenty of colds but fortunately not much flu.

Dear LMA,

I am touched that you prefer to suffer rather than taking a shot which improves your chances to go through the flu season healthy.

Since we started taking the flu shots for our entire family 3 years ago, we either had no flu or had much lighter cases, so you can go on washing your hands and getting sick anyway while we'll take our shots and feel better. Yes, I understand that it's not a 100% guarantee that the flu shot works, but I'll take a 70% chance to be helped against your 0% anytime.

With all due respect, people die of flu every year, and some of them could have been saved if it were not for people like you who try to deny decedes of research because they cannot be bothered to understand it.

Still, I respect your right to endanger your family if you so choose :)

Awww, thanks, HBX! I appreciate that you chose to comment! ;) -- LMA

A few years ago when there was a shortage, "They" were telling us we didn't really need the flu vaccine. This year with plenty to go around, "They" tell us it's a good thing.
I made sure to get it when I was living with someone who was immuno-compromised. That's no longer the case.
So I get it if it's convenient. It may all be common cold, but I've had the kind that comes with much more muscle aches and fatigue and less nose-running, and it wasn't any fun.
My city gives it free. This year the nurse gave it in my dominant arm, and I couldn't use it for about three days without a lot of pain, so I'm going to re-think things next year, and if I do, insist it goes in the weaker arm.

I see in the comments section that you claim to have edited your post for clarity, regarding your comments on the Mayo Clinic, but I'll be honest: it still reads like you are saying the Mayo Clinic is suggesting people skip the flu shot, which they most certainly are not. Maybe you should have run this post by an editor, or a few outside, unbiased readers? I'm a fellow writer, and I know sometimes you get caught up in wanting to phrase something a certain way...but this is really unclear and misleading, even after your attempt to clarify it.

Now, on to your choice not to vaccinate your kids and yourself against the flu: you're being rather silly. Your first reason is that it might not work. Well, duh. Hand-washing might not work either, unless you handwash vigorously, for more than 30 seconds in very hot water. I'll bet your kids don't do that at school, or at their friends' houses, or when you aren't looking. So the better protection you are bragging about them having--they probably don't have it, at all.

And your second stated reason was the sore arm bit...really? It was THAT sore? Unless you had an actual adverse reaction, this seems more than a little silly...it actually seems preposterous. Sleeping funny gives me a sore arm sometimes. Doesn't mean staying up all night is a good idea.

Excuse me, Erin, but what STI are we vaccinating 2 day old infants against??? I am pretty sure that the flu is not an STI, and the only STI that is vaccinated against is HPV (and maybe hepatitis). Do we vaccinate 2 day old children against these things now, or am I missing something?

I'm not a mom yet, but will be soon (due on Friday). I got my shot in the fall at my ob/gyn, she recommended it for me and my little one inside. She said I would pass on antibodies to him / her. I'm also a teacher and and am exposed to kiddie germs every day. This is not the time for me to go against what my doc says. I'll listen to her! That's why she gets paid the big bucks! I plan to listen to listen to the pediatrician on vacs for my child, too.

Angeline, newborns are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B before leaving the hospital at birth, even if their mother doesn't have Hep B. So yes, the standard CDC schedule of immunizations had us immunizing our infants from an STD at less than 48 hours old. That's how insane and illogical the vaccine recommendations are.

I do not get the flu vaccine, nor do my children. The actual flu is not as common as people think (I think that in the family of 5 that I grew up in we had only two cases of real flu vs. many cases of "flu-like symptoms") and a healthy person can fight this off. Introducing more toxins into our systems is the last thing we need to maintain our health. I truly think that the flu vaccine is an example of the rampant greed of the pharmaceutical industry. Where is the proof that widespread flu vaccination actually reduces the spread of the flu and saves lives? Oh that's right, there isn't any.

I think it is hep B that very young infants gets immunized against, which I think can be transmitted sexually

I'm 50 years old and have been taking the flu shots for about the past 10 years. I had three young kids back 10 years ago and now have another young kid in the house. I used to get the flu every two years or so and it was horrible. I was completely unable to function normally. Couldn't prepare meals, couldn't get them ready for school, Never again. I haven't had the flu since taking the shots and I intend to take the shot every year.

MP -

Previous generations died of the flu. 20 to 100 million in 1918.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

Your 2 year old falls into the category of people who should get the flu shot. Why do you think otherwise? I'm not aware of any severe reactions to the flu vaccine that approach the severity of the flu, so I'm really not sure why not get it. Being proud of handwashing is like saying that you don't need a seatbelt because you drive so carefully.

Also, a strain of flu this year is nearly completely resistant to Tamiflu, but this years vaccine is effective against it. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/s090109.htm

Lot of misconceptions about what the flu actually is. As someone above said, the flu is rarer than people realize. It is also much worse than people realize. It is not a case of cough, congestion, and temp of 99. In healthy people, the flu is typically severe muscle aches, fatigue, high temperatures often to 102-103. These symptoms frequently last a full week, with lesser symptoms of fatigue and aches lasting a week or 2 longer. I always say that people who actually get the flu are the patients most sure to get a flu shot in the future. The risk of complications and even death is fairly rare in healthy people, but not at all unknown. In pregnant women, people over 50 and kids under 5 the chance of complications is dramatically higher. Not sure what early reports said, but at this point it seems that the flu manufactures were right on the money this year with the flu shot (unlike last year when the flu shot really was not a great protector at all). In healthy patients and older kids I will admit I don't nag my patients much, but I strongly recommend for the above mentioned high risk groups. As far as the question above about what people did before the flu shot, well they often died.. In 1918 20-40 million people died. That right 20-40 million! That year through random bad luck, the flu virus happened to mutate into a particularly deadly strain.In 1968, a less severe mutation caused 33,000 deaths in the United States alone. Infectious disease experts pretty routinely feel that it is only a matter of time before something like that happens again. Because of the success of modern medicine, Americans take infectious diseases and epidemics much too lightly.

The flu is primarily transmitted through the air - droplets from coughing and sneezing - so having the cleanest hands on earth won't save you. And half of infected people are asymptomatic, so you won't even necessarily know who's contagious... (http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_flu-transmission.htm)

as someone in healthcare, there's not a chance in hell i would get a substance put into my body with such poor coverage made with such poison in it. get me an organically produced, for all intents and purposes, 100% safe, 100% coverage and maybe i'll consider it. until then, keep working on it. i would also encourage others to not get pulled into it without getting all of the information needed to make an informed decision. keep in mind that it's possible that there are ulterior motives behind the push for people to be getting these shots.

p.s. this is the same scientific 'rigor' that brought us the likes of fen-phen and vioxx.

Is the Flu shot overrated.....

Yup!

I'm in my 40s and have never had the flu. I either have never encountered the virus, or have an immune system that handles them. My 'gut' says no to getting the shot, and at this point, it wins over stats and numbers and history. I feel I'll upset some imaginary balance I have between immunity and germs. My 3 kids have never had the flu (or the shot). Certainly if we seem susceptible, I'd do it, but we haven't been so far. Do you pass along a germ to others even if you don't get the illness? If not...I don't know how I'm causing others harm by not getting the flu shot, since I don't ever get the flu. And when millions died from the flu, was this prior to the knowledge of how the germs were spread?

no it was not before there was knowledge of the germ theory. There is really nothing specifically that could prevent such a pandemic, besides widespread use of the flu shot. Again, as I said before, the flu is rarer than people think. Most of the cough/congestion stuff out there is not the flu. No one is immune or not susceptible to the flu. If you happen to be exposed in the right way to the right person you will get. Almost all healthy people who get the flu will do fine in the long term, but will be totally miserable in the short term.
Then there is the small but real risk that a particular years flu strain will be particularly virulent, and have a much much higher risk of complications and death. For reasons that are not at all well understood, the 1918 flu epidemic killed mostly young healthy people, not the elderly who typically the group at highest risk for death from the flu. This continues to be a real medical mystery, and in many ways a real worry as to what it could mean in the future.

The flu pandemic of 1918 killed more people than World War I. Don't be stupid.

The reason why LMA feels so confident she and her family can remain healthy without getting the flu vaccine is because most other families have participated in this season's vaccination program and have thus prevented a pandemic from starting. Knock on wood, we have had a relatively mild influenza season so far (I am an emergency physician practicing in Massaachusetts) largely because of massive public health effort to get people vaccinated. Her sentiments are pure hubris.

Thanks for your comment, shorta yuasa. According to the Mass. Department of Public Health, 2.6 million doses of the flu vaccine were available -- not necessarily administered -- in Massachusetts this season, the most ever. The Commonwealth has about 6.35 million residents. Even if all of the doses were given out (and they haven't been) that's still not "most other families." -- LMA

Flu doesn't kill school age kids, period. The medical establishment changed the recommendations based on lobbying from vaccine manufacturers, rather than based on scientific evidence that "everybody" should get the shot.

Personally, I've had the flu only once in my life (i.e. it's rare). My wife, our 1-1/2 year old daughter, and I all caught it within 24 hours of each other. And it sucked, but it sure as heck wasn't anywhere near deadly. It felt like I imagined it would feel like if I fell off the back of a motorcycle and tumbled down the freeway for a bit. My entire body hurt. I basically couldn't move except to reluctantly use the bathroom. But the next day I was well enough to get out of bed and watch some TV.

And our little girl seemed to suffer less than either of us adults. She was playing with less vigor, and sleeping a lot, but she didn't lay there moaning like her mom and dad.

The odds of catching it are low. The risk of harm is minuscule for most people even after you catch it. And the shot itself is dangerous. In the case of infants, the shot is notably more risky than the disease.

Please google the following: vitamin d flu

Lots of credible evidence (but not absolutely conclusive yet) that flu is caused by Vitamin D deficiency. The reason it's not proven yet is that the studies are afraid to try more than the government's max safe dose of 2000, when it is believed that the true safe dose is more like 10,000, and the therapeutic dose is around 4000.

Either get plenty of sun or take 3 to 4000 in D3 supplements every day. That's 10 times the recommended (and far too low) dose of 400.

Anybody that reccomends the Flu shot is one of two types.....
1, on the profit end.
2. Nieve.

I do normally get the flu shot as do my children. This year I got it (through work), but my kids didn't. My daughter currently has the flu. She had a 104.5 fever the other day in spite of Motrin and Tylenol. I don't think I've ever seen her so ill! The doctor said she can be like this for about 10 days and yes - she was tested and does have influenza. I have felt slightly ill, but nothing like her. SO, if this is any indication, you can guarantee that the whole family will be first in line for the shot next year!

From a public health practitioner. Apparently, in this new era of constrained resources for newspapers, we are getting medical advice for our children from a concerned mom rather than a pediatrician, and without sufficient editing that it is clear and responsible in its fact. It's not responsible to have created ANY misunderstanding about what the Mayo Clinic represents, even if it was just for early morning readers.

I'm very disappointed in the Globe.

YES- Its overrated!
I have never been so sick so many times in one season (October thru now).
Either there is something wrong with this years batch or its a bunk to get the damn flu shot.

The flu shot is being associated with Alzheimers disease. If you have ten or more Flu shots, there is a 99% chance you will end up with Alzheimers. But just drink the fluoride water and aspertame "Diet Coke" and keep getting "vaccinated". Our government loves you. Don't ask too many questions. It's un-American.

Certainly overrated. My kids are now 14 & 20. My youngest never had the flu - just a few basic colds, the oldest had the flu once when she was 8. The one time I had the flu was when I was pregnant with the first. I may get a cold once or twice a year. When I worked, flu shots were offered free and I never received one. (It seemed that everyone that received the flu shot, got pretty sick anyway.)

And - since I worked, both kids were in daycare from the time they were 8 weeks old. They also were healthy throughout their school years.

Bottom line - I stressed hand washings and at least 8-10 hours of sleep a night.

I have a child with asthma. The flu could put him in the hospital. While the flu shot is no guarantee that he won't get the flu, it's something I can do to try to help prevent it. The risk is small, the potential benefit is great. He gets the shot every year, my daughter gets it any year the doctor's office will give it to her (when they're not rationing), and I get it most years.

Hepatitis B is spread by blood-to-blood contact, not just sexual contact. Sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infectious person may spread the disease. Since 2000, all babies are vaccinated soon after birth, reducing the risk of becoming carriers or contracting the infection later in life. This is why babies are vaccinated for Hep B.

As for the flu shot, I have mine every year....better safe than sorry. In addition to the shot, I practice vigilant hand hygiene and cough etiquette as recommended by the CDC. The flu shot is still needed, as not everyone practices hand hygiene and cough etiquette. In instances where I am exposed to someone who is coughing or sneezing...I like having the knowledge that I had the flu vaccine and there is a 70% chance that I won't contract influenza.

I myself do not get the flu shot, seems i end up getting more sick than when i dont. My son (7) on the other hand does get the flu shot. He got it for the first time last year and again this year and what a difference it has made. Before the shot he would be sick all the time for the entire winter. We were always at the doctors. This year and last year have been woderful years in terms of illness. Not to say he hasnt been sick at all but here we are in January and hes only had strep...No complaints. Oh, By the way yes we implement thorough handwashing (maybe even excessive) but it helps!

I just saw on the news that NJ has passed a STATE LAW requiring that any kid ages 2-6 attending a licensed state educational institution must get the flu shot. This is a very scary thing. This is a violation of freedom. There is not enough evidence out there (if any) to take the freedom of choice as to whether or not a parent should be forced to vaccinate their child for the flu away. Suppose a child has a severe reaction to the flu shot one year (which does happen).......does this exempt them from this law? This is very scary.

I would never get the flu shot for anyone. The more research I do, the stronger my conviction is. Does this research include perusing the much maligned Internet? It sure does. Let's keep in mind the Internet provides a way for real people to exchange real stories-- not a bunch of conspiracy theorist nonsense. The CDC's own website provides possible risks of side effects from all vaccines to effectively dissuade a person from using them. Call me a parasite, but if the shots are all they are cracked up to be, you have nothing to worry about.

I'm surprised that nobody has yet commented on the line, "I rarely call in sick."

Along with immunization and hand washing, one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of disease is for sick people to stay home.

To put others at risk by knowingly going into work, school, shopping centers and other public places is selfish and thoughtless.

Excellent point, Ike. The link in my post (above) goes to a post about "presenteeism" and the fact that many working parents don't feel like they can take the sick time they're entitled to -- even when they really should. -- LMA

LMA i was not mislead by your hand washing line, I agree with you. Some day the ignorant world we live in will wake up and realize the pile of lies we have all been taught. The flu shot along with antibiotics in general are the work of the devil. We are taught to do what our parents and our doctors tell us to do and never question it. I'm not blaming people for remaining ignorant, it's just that most people are to simple to look outside the box and see the big picture. Supplementation is vital to overall health. Our soil is mineral deficient and most people don't come close to getting the vitamins and minerals they need to get or stay healthy. The vitamin C foundation recommends 3000 mg's of Vitamin C daily, yet the FDA recommends 60 mg's. I personally take 5000 mg's Daily. I have taken over 20,000 mg's daily several times a year when I don't quite feel 100 % . I also take lysine and some other supplements. http://www.vitamincfoundation.org Good article, I like the direction your going.

I wonder how many people dismiss global warming critics as idiot crackpots who are shills for Big Oil, yet accept the "risky vaccine" story as gospel?

I got the flu shot while pregnant, my baby in utero developed a heart arthythmia, then was born a month early. I also caught the flu from it. Yea, I know, you can't catch flu from a flu shot, right? Just because they don't know WHY doesn't mean you can't catch it - I know so many people that caught flu from their shot.
Flu shots contain mercury, aluminum and other toxins. Flu shots have NO long term safety studies because they change every year. Flu shot strains are typically a mismatch. Most studies show that flu shots are ineffective, esp for the young (under 2) and the elderly. So I must ask...why get a flu shot?!?!

MP, will you come sit with my kids while I go to work when they have the flu and I don't (because I got the shot)????

Of course not.

Last year, I tried to get the shots for my kids and got lied to (I'm an epidemiologist and know the shots are not different for a 10 and 12 year old) and refused for liability reasons that don't exist. My older son missed so much school that he was nearly held back (he was on honor roll, but it was the number of absences involved - 23, 19 of which were from his three bouts of flu). On top of that, he was utterly miserable and had to be hospitalized at one point.

Meanwhile, only one of those strains - the "surprise" strain - was the only one that myself or my husband got.

I think people like MP and eddie should put their money where their mouth is - and get no sick time for flu-related absences from work or absences for caring for kids. Or volunteer to baby sit sick kids while their parents work. Maybe then they might realize that the only "bunk" is the one they will land in if we didn't have herd immunity to protect them - or the bunk between their know-nothing ears.l

One additional factor in the promotion of widespread vaccination favored by public health officials and infectious diseases experts is that "herd" immunity occurs. The more people vaccinated, the less numbers of isolated "brush fires" can start which can lead to a much larger forest fire. So, in essence, if a person with the flu is surrounded by a large number of vaccinated individuals, the fire burns out.
Hence, by getting the flu shot, you are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting the general community.
Same thing goes for other population-based communicable diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. The "mommy instinct" propagated by uninformed bloggers (or journalists) should never trump science in understanding safety and efficacy of a public health approach to prevent disease. As a result, when the misinformed public elects to refuse vaccines, they put EVERYONE at risk: see recent measles outbreak in the US!

So, I assume you never eat tuna fish either then? The amount of Thimerosal in the flu shot is equivalent to a can of tune fish... and, you fail to mention the fact that a thimerosal free non-nasal spray version is widely available to anyone that looks for it. Sure - it doesn't cover every form of the flu - but I rather protect my family with any precaution I can. And I agree with the other posters... going to work when you are ill is not something to cheer and be proud of.. you ARE infecting the rest of us! If your company frowns that strongly on being out sick... they too are part of the problem... telecommuting from home is the wave of the future for sick folks... if you can come in.. you can work from home that day. Stay well!

Actually, I don't eat tuna fish either. :) And in the same sentence that mentions Thimerosal, I do mention the Thimerosal-free nasal spray. What I don't mention, though, is that according to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/qa/nasalspray.htm) the spray uses a weakened -- but not killed -- viruses and is not recommended for people under age 2, over age 50, who are pregnant, or who have weakened immune systems. So, basically, the same people who should have the flu shot are not encouraged to have the flu spray. -- LMA

Rita - Here's the CDC's recommendation for children:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm

Definitely more in there that would persuade me to give my kids the vaccine. Here's their page for the flu:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

And their advice:
"CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease."

As for the Internet as a source of information, the "stories" you hear are just that, stories. It absolutely amazes me how reams and piles of peer-reviewed medical research and millions of dollars can be spent on studies, analysis, testing, re-testing, re-proving and re-studying something like the effectiveness of a vaccine, yet some random blog entry or an uncorroborated story can be taken as truth in face of mountains and mountains of evidence (and history).

Every medical procedure and drug lists side effects. Every one of them. When I had my wisdom teeth out, a side effect of the surgery was listed was "death". It didn't stop me from getting my wisdom teeth out, but it was a risk (albeit small) of having surgery.

Why would you give yourself the flu? The key is to make sure you have a healthy diet including taking a Vitamin Supplement or a product like Isotonix OPC-3 which helps strength your immune system. It is better than giving yourself the flu!!

Avoid all vaccinations for adults and children... they are polluted with god knows what and are money makers for the medical and chemical industries who have corrupted our medical universities, training doctors and nurses who toss away their common sense to follow 'protocols' ...

Think for a second - How can a vaccine be safe and effective FOR EVERYONE? Would you bet your house on it?

The CDC grabs all the data from hospitals where patients have died from respiratory failures and stamps them as flu deaths so they can continue their drum beating about the necessity of flu shots...

More people die from medical mistakes each year (250,000+) than from the flu.
http://www.health-care-reform.net/causedeath.htm

Vitamin C boosts the immune system for adults, children and pets.

I've been taking Vitamin C for years and this has cured my asthma.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is really a thread about superstitions and rumors and heresay, with what I am reading. It isn't that hard to get, know, and understand this? This is all pretty basic science, and yet we have a "I caught the flu and my baby was not the perfect one I was guarenteed" post (never mind that lots of babies have arrhythmias at birth, and are born early), and a "it gave me the flu" post (was this confirmed by comparison of your strain to the exact deactivated and tagged strain in the shot? If there was no testing and no genetic match, which can be done and is done for varicella, you are wrong). We are also hearing a lot of interesting "facts" cultured on the internet about substances that have been out for years and people have been exposed to for years and that have been studied for years in enough people to know what the consequences are.

One reason there is a push to vaccinate kids is that epidemics are shown to start and fulminate in schools, and spread to the rest of the community. Not having kids suffer high fevers for two straight weeks three times in one winter is icing on the cake.

This author is totally wrong. It seems to me that most of the opposition to vaccinations comes from younger adults who do not remember the horrors of infectious disease epidemics. I'm 60 now, and I remember not just the polio epidemic but numerous other diseases against which there were no vaccinations. My mother's generation grew up before antibiotics, so any illness had potentially more serious consequences than we think of today. (Maybe that's why they kept their houses so fanatically clean and made you wash your hands.)
While not everyone got sick, died, or had complications from these diseases, it seemsed like everyone knew someone who had one of them, and the stories were passed along about how horrible it was or that the affected person had some continuing complication. I don't recommend that we go back to those times, if we can prevent itby getting a flu shot or other immunizations. I'm disappointed in the Globe for printing this irresponsible piece without a countervailing discussion of evidence in favor of immunizations.

For the people looking for hard science, does this qualify? In two major studies published in the Lancet recently, the effectiveness of the flu shot was examined in children and people over 65. For children less than two the authors state, " the influenza vaccine had similar effects to a placebo". In the study on the elderly the authors state, "the influenza vaccine seems ineffective in preventing flu or flu-like illness in elderly people living in the community". The concentration of thimerosal in the flu shot is listed at 1:10000. This is equivalent to a concentration of 100,000 parts per billion (ppb). Since thimerosal is 50% mercury, this puts the concentration of mercury, in the flu-shot vial, at 50,000 ppb. Liquid waste is considered hazardous if it exceeds 200 ppb mercury.

"Immunization of very young children is not lent support by our findings," said Dr Tom Jefferson. "We recorded no convincing evidence that vaccines can reduce mortality,[hospital] admissions, serious complications and community transmission of influenza. In young children, we could find no evidence that the vaccine was different from a placebo," Jefferson told Reuters

Safety of influenza vaccines in children: The Lancet; 366:803-804 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736 (05)67204-2

It is like we are living in the middle ages or something, with people on this board reporting their anecdotal evidence as if it's medical scientific fact ("I got the flu shot, then i got the flu! It's useless!"). Epidemiology works because it doesn't use anecdotal evidence, it uses statistics collected from a large number of cases. Infectious disease transmission is the very last thing that we should listen to people's anecdotal evidence about, it is guaranteed to be inaccurate.

You people who reference the 1918 pandemic fail to realize that even if there were a vaccine available then, it wouldn't have protected you from the mutated form that appeared that year. The flu vaccine has to be made up in advance, and they are totally guessing at which strain to vaccinate against. Logic says that if the mutated form didn't exist yet, or was extremely rare at the time, then the vaccine wouldn't have protected you from that strain. It's a very ignorant reason to advocate for the vaccine.

I absolutely get my kids the flu shot because I will do whatever I can to protect my kids and keep them healthy. Kids are much more likely than adults to not only get the flu, but to suffer complications of the flu, including pneumonia. And while the flu vaccine may not be a perfect match every year, why not give your children all the protection you can? Make sure they get enough rest, eat well, wash hands often, and get the vaccine.

Further, if your child gets the flu, s/he risks giving it other children, including those too young to be vaccinated. So it's not solely a personal choice about your own children; vaccines are meant to protect the health of populations. And regarding Thimerosal, study after study after study shows there is no evidence linking vacines and autism. If you're concerned, reqest a Thimerosal-free flu vaccine.

Here are the flu shot guidelines for kids: http://vaccinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/flu_shot_guidelines_for_kids

Paula Griswold needs to get over herself, this is a blog where people share their opinions. Never once did the author state this is the way things should be, follow my advice.

In face if Paula could read she would see the article is titled "IS the flu shot overrated" not "THE flu shot is overrated."

Not overrated at all. I work with the public, and have volunteered in a health care setting, so I always get a flu shot. A few years ago when there was a shortage in the vaccine and they recommended that young and otherwise healthy people not get the shot , I didn't get it. That was the year I ended up with the flu. I was so sick that I landed in the emergency room, had to be rehydrated, missed a week of work, and had the health department calling my house (since it's a reportable illness) to make sure I was home and not out infecting anyone else. I didn't feel totally right for about 6 weeks after that.

Trust me, if the author is able to write an article that is this coherent article while sick, I would be willing to bet that what she has right now is NOT the flu. (When I had it, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, and was unable to do little more for several days than lie in bed, drink fluids, and take Tylenol.)

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I don't have the flu right now, too. Thanks, Sue! -- LMA

sensible Mediterranean diet with daily sunshine and I never get sick. Nothing.

Stop with the maddness and take control of your unhealthy living and forget the meds and fad diets.

the end

The Flu shot is for Doctors and Insurance Company's to make money...period.

It's a joke. Whetever you see the masses doing (i.e. getting the flu shot) do the opposite.

Eat right, take vitamins, workout. SLEEP...

The more medications these so called "HEALTH OFFICIALS" give us, the sicker this country gets...

"Which means that the strain of flu that the vaccine was designed to protect us against isn't the strain that's making most people sick."

This is patently untrue according to the latest data from the CDC and PH of Canada. The only mismatch is in one of the three components (B/Florida) should have been (B//Malaysia). What is currently circulating throughout the US and Canada is H1N1 a good match and later this season most likely will be H3N2/Brisbane and the B/Malaysia,

Handwashing with soap and water is only as good as the friction that one creates in the act of handwashing. Sing happy brithday to yourself twice to know that you have actually washed vigorously long enough.

All in all, I am glad that I had my flu shpt. The N1 portion of it may actually offer a tiny but of protection if H5N1 goes sustained human to human (pandemic). I will take any advantage I can get.

But I would not force anyone to take any medical procedure that they do not want. Including vaccination which is an ongoing issue in NJ right now.

All in all, a great article...thanks!

I'm a doc here in Boston, I took care of two children last year, who were perfectly healthy, who both died from influenza. They were both talented, beautiful young teens. I hope your parenting "advice" does not contribute to any needless hospitalizations or deaths this flu season--which is supposed to be worse than last year. Please don't add to the paranoid propaganda of the anti-vaccination media. It's just a sore arm, really. I could also give you a multitude of scientific data to debunk your thimerosal fears. Please, everyone, get the shot.

I agree with the poster who said the Globe should have someone with some medical background read these posts.

My children get one every year like clock work. I need to be better for myself. I have had flu once before in a year w/o the shot. It was miserable. I know it is not full proof. It will not protect against avian flu which is seriously dangerous and deadly. Still I will find a place to get a shot. It is bad nough to have strep(bacterial) or other viral infections kids send home from school. No need to add this one to the list

Pete -

Ten seconds of Google indicated that the Lancet study raised more questions than it answered.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/health/02flu.html

I find many of the comments of the pro-flu vaccine people frustrating. Just because gov't agencies highly recommend something, doesn't make something an end all. These agencies are lobbied by pharmaceutical companies that SELL vaccines. For some people, flu vaccines don't work that well, as Lylah said ,and there are different strains, and people should be able choose whether they want to takes these things. A free country shouldn't go overboard requiring these things. Our society has become so afraid of germs. Germs and bacteria will always find a new way to infect us. I believe most vaccines are important, but you still need to build an immune system, and too many vaccines can impair that. And some independent science does support this. People are too quick to criticize an article because it goes against their hard-fast beliefs, mis-reading things because they don't like the point. People need to take a step back, and think a little independently once in a while. Incidently, I don't take a flu shot, but I don't think people are stupid for taking it, especially small kids and the elderly. But not all people "need" it. Some have strong immune systems. People get irrational when they start worrying about flu epidemics like the one in 1918. We've come a long way since then.

I posted earlier an an emergency physician from Massachusetts (#34). I need to clarify some egregious misconception that's been thrown around in this blog about how vaccines are being administered by healthcare professionals purely for profit. This notion couldn't be more misguided and dangerous. The cold fact is that private practices order and stock influenza vaccines every autum knowing that they will most likely lose money as third party insurance reimbursement for vaccination is pitiful to nonexistent. In fact, we are finding it increasingly difficult to find companies to make vaccines in geneneral for this reason. Believe it or not your healthcare professionals still do things because - after weighing all the scientific evidence - it's the medical-ethically right thing to do. But fear not, you smug skeptics. As these negative sentiments help drive more and more good primary care physicians out of practice and out of state every day, you may one day soon get your wish for a world once again without vaccines.

trevor --

What's frustrating is generally from the people against vaccines. Despite reams of scientific research, they don't listen and continue on in their own bill-headed way. If it was just themselves they were hurting, then I'd say go on your merry way. However, the vaccine free people have engineered their own measles outbreaks now, because of fear that's spread on the Internet -- fear with scant or nonexistent evidence to back it up. It's not just government agencies promoting vaccination, it's health care groups, international groups, etc.

And in regards to 1918, we have indeed come a long way. The world is a considerably "smaller" place, where infections can spread in hours instead of weeks. It's well documented that WWI was a key vector in spreading the flu worldwide. How quickly we forget the SARS lesson, and forget the number of international and domestic flights disgorging passengers from all over the world at Logan.

And, just like in 1918, we still can't "cure" a viral disease.

However, your point is well taken that having a strong immune system, keeping yourself in shape, eating a good diet, handwashing, etc are all good things to do.

Why don't doctors promote healthy living instead of what they can make money from?

"What's frustrating is generally from the people against vaccines. Despite reams of scientific research, they don't listen and continue on in their own bill-headed way."
Science K? The science you refer to, defending the injection of babies with alkyl mercury compounds, is not science at all. They (the studies) are all statistical manipulations done by the perpetrators of the crime. The medical community needs to take responsibility for the damage they've done.

I don't understand your reasoning. Yes, the flu shot is not 100%. But if you get a flu shot, you are less likely to get the flu, and even if you do get it you will likely get a milder case. Which means you are less likely to have it turn into pneumonia, and you are also less likely to give it to other vulnerable people you encounter such as babies, the elderly and people with asthma. My daughter has asthma and a regular cold can easily turn into pneumonia for her, so getting the flu could easily turn into a hospitalization from pneumonia, or yes, even death. With all these benefits to you, your family, elderly or young relatives and friends, why would you not get the vaccine when the only downside is generally a sore arm for maybe a day?

Thanks for commenting, Erin. The vaccine is far from 100% effective. It's not even 50% effective. The effective rate for people who exhibit flu-like symptoms after being innoculated is about 15% (see link in post). Since I could still have a milder bout of even after getting the flu shot, I could still transmit that mild version to the asthmatic person and they could still end up in the hospital. Unless, of course, they've gotten a flu shot, which might offer THEM some protection. A child who has asthma is a perfect candidate for the flu shot. I'm not saying "no one should get one," I'm saying "I chose not to get one." -- LMA

Pete -

You just proved my point more clearly than anything I could possibly write. Thanks.

There are some people out there who think the military industrial complex has joined forces with big pharma to poison their families. Doctors would sooner harm them than heal them. The FDA's goal is to approve products which are harmful and and ineffective. They believe this fervently with all their heart. It is crazy talk, but you cannot debate this with them because it is a belief not based in science. You could as easily debate the existence of God. Just take care of you and your family and let them and their children get sick. Rest assured when they do, they will come running back begging to try to get healthy from the system that they eschew. And of course, we taxpayers will have to pay big money for their hospitalization rather than pennies for their vaccination. But that is the price we pay for a free society. People are free to be ignorant, free to endanger themselves and their families.

Your last comment (#77) is additionally irresponsible. Yes, you could still have a clinically milder flu because of some early antibody protection offered by the vaccine and, as a result, are less likely to transmit your infection to an asthmatic. The key is infectiousness: a floridly symptomatic patient with respiratory secretions is most likely to have millions of viral particles shed from those secretions; a milder flu correlates with less secretions and less infectivity which equates with a less widespread possible epidemic.

I am also a physician and am concerned by journalists without the necessary training to write on topics like this. Being a mother and stepmom does not qualify one to be an expert in delineating the nuances of expert medical advice. A good analogy: a person may be a frequent flyer and know the ins and outs of air travel, but that in no way qualifies them to be a pilot! Please, hire a medically trained editor.

With all due respect, Rich, I'm not claiming to give any medical advice, expert or otherwise; this post is about what I've chosen to do for myself and my family. I would hope that readers would do their own research and make their own choices, not just blindly do something they read about in a blog. Thanks for reading and commenting... -- LMA

K, I was saying that not all vaccines are bad, most are good. The flu one may not be necessary for everyone, and shouldn't be required. Some people tend to have a strong enough immune system, and by having everyone required to get this, you waste money, and take doctors time away from someone who does need it. I've had the flu maybe 3 times my life(last like 10 years ago), never severe, and I don't get this shot. I am not the best candidate for this. The other thing mentioned here is that Doctor's are evil and are making money. It was rightfully pointed out that Doctors lose money on this. Their good intentions are appreciated, but what is left out here, is that Pharmeceutical companies DO make money, and that's why they have shareholders. This is not a yes/no issue or question, but people want to make it that way. People that believe in absolutes contribute greatly in misleading people.

BV,

And this post was designed to bring all the crazies out so that Boston.com can make advertising money off them.

It's funny how they rail agains the medical establishment being "only about money " without noticing that their irrational rants support a publishing business which does not care about them... just thir money :)

On the other hand, asking them to notice that would be asking them to think... no fair.

No problem K. What do think of this quote from a pediatrician, Dr. Bob Sears: "As for the issue regarding parents' trust in the vaccine manufacturers, that trust was severely shaken when it was revealed in the Los Angeles Times on February 8, 2005, that way back in 1991 a researcher at Merck sent a memo to the president of Merck's vaccine division stating that they had just realized that the cumulative amount of mercury in vaccines given to infants by six months of age was about 87 times (435 by todays standards) the safety limits set by the FDA. And that information was not revealed to the public until 8 years later." Sears said he continues to put his faith in the vaccine makers but he added that "I find it surprising that any doctors can fault a parent for not completely trusting Merck after that, or the FDA and CDC departments that were supposed to be overseeing this type of issue."
Pete

Pete --

There's not completely trusting with a reason (as you have provided), and not completely trusting based on anecdotal and circumstantial evidence.

For the record, Dr. Bob Sears is very clear that he thinks the flu vaccine is a good thing. http://www.askdrsears.com/

Institute a mandatory paid sick leave policy like the one just enacted in Milwaukee and you will see less spread of the flu. Add to that getting good rest and getting all the nutrients you need so not to be deficient i.e vitamin d3 and you will see less flu.

I'm saddened that so many of you have forgotten that four (4) Massachusetts children DIED last year from influenza.

Here's the link to the BG article from 3/17/08:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/03/4th_mass_child.html

I made sure to get my two kids vaccinated this year when it was available for their age group.

Dr. Jody Lanard, co-author of "Convincing Health Care Workers to Get a Flu Shot -- Without the Hype," emailed to point out two very interesting points, which I'd like to share here:

1.) While this year's flu shot is "mismatched," it does still protect against two strains of Influenza A that are circulating; it is mismatched in regards to the Influenza B strain it was designed to protect against. So far, the strain that is making most people sick (in the US, at least), is a strain of Influenza A, though it is circulating at a low rate.

2.) Regarding the Thimerosal issue: Multiple-dose vials of influenza vaccine contain Thimerosal in more than trace amounts, but two of the five injectable flu vaccine producers for the U.S. market make single-dose pre-filled syringes of influenza vaccine that contain no Thimerosal at all, she says. (Two others do contain a trace of Thimerosal.)

Thank you!

-- LMA

Yes, it's overrated.

I've never been one to knock vaccines. My two young daughters are vaccinated as they "should" be for thier ages, and I know I recieved all of mine growing up. In 2005, 2006, and 2007 my kids (those that were around) got their vaccines for flu, but I did not. My reason was mostly that I just didn't get around to it, not anything more complicated than that. This year, I fell ill in mid-october, and since I was at the office anyways, my doc offered me one. The girls had had thiers, and the older one (3) was mighty excited that mommy was about to get a shot just like she did. Shot in, no big deal.

I'm the type who does tend to get sick a fair amount. I've always been this way. But this year has really taken the cake. Since that illness in October, I've seen my doctoer 4 seperate times. I'm currently on my 3rd round of antibiotics (don't even get me started), and I'm on track to spend my entire mortgage payment on co-pays and perscriptions. The problems I'm having could be coincidence. After all, they are all apearing to be bacterial at some level- not flu. But I am starting to question whether I'll ever get this vaccine again....

Anyone who really gets the flu (true INFLUENZA, not just a bad cold) will be sure to get a flu shot. You feel beat up for a good month; high fever, aches, fatigue. I was about 35 at the time, healthly, exercising, excellent health, and it totally knocked me out of commission for a while. I can't imagine someone elderly or a child having to fight this off.

This largely echoes DoctorRick's comments abouve.

No. I've had a flu every year since I was 18. I have asthma, and I work in healthcare. I got the flu once in all that time, for 36 miserable hours.

"I understand some vaccines, but why are we injecting our 2 day old babies with a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease?"

If you mean Hep B, it's because Hep B can be transmitted through non-sexual exchange of blood, including shared toothbrushes, dirty needles, and blood transfusions.

I wish I would have gotten my daughter a flu shot. She died in 2004 from influenza when she was 3 years old. She was perfectly healthy and had no underlying medical conditions, just like many kids that die each year from influenza. Your "musings" are more than wrong, they are offensive. While parents should not take medical advice from professional writers or talk show hosts, unfortunately all too often they do. Your selection of only certain facts really misrepresents the efficacy and importance of flu vaccination in saving the lives of children.

Our whole family (2 kids, both parents) got the flu about 10 years ago. The kids ran 105 temps for a week. Unfortunately for my youngest who was only 2, that was right at the age when the enamel for all his permanent teeth was forming. Years later, when he lost his baby teeth, all of his new teeth came in with "soft" enamel. He has a mouth full of cavities, despite brushing, flossing and sealants. He will need crowns on all four of his molars that formed during that time - we are trying to get him to age 18 before he needs that... So the flu can have life long consequences that may not be evident for years to come. Get the shot - it may just save you or your child from a lifetime of misery...

Lylah included my name in comment 86. I wrote Lylah an email earlier today which began with the words:

[THIS IS NOT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. NOT FOR PUBLICATION]

But since my name is up there, I'd rather the words were mine too. Below is my note to Lylah, minus the links.

Oh well: [THIS IS NOT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. NOT FOR PUBLICATION]

Dear Ms Alphonse,

I hope you are feeling better!

Two errors you might want to quickly fix in your article .

Both of the errors are in the same direction: incorrect exaggerations of problems with the flu vaccine.

Many other writers exaggerate the benefits of the flu vaccine. Both types of error are not good for helping people develop informed opinions in order to make good decisions for themselves.

1. The vaccine mismatch this year

You wrote: " this year, early research out of Canada, the United States, and Britain shows that the vaccine was mismatched. Which means that the strain of flu that the vaccine was designed to protect us against isn't the strain that's making most people sick."

That is not remotely what Helen Branswell said in her article.

The vaccine is designed to protect against THREE kinds of flu: Influenza A/H1N1, Influenza A/H3N2, and Influenza B.

This year's vaccine -- so far -- protects well against two of the strains that are circulating, and poorly against most of the Influenza B that is circulating.

(See the CDC weekly flu report for the week ending January 3, the most recent update as of January 14)

The strain that is making the most people sick in the U.S. so far this year is A/H1N1. The vaccine is well-matched to the current A/H1N1 strain found in the U.S., Canada, and Britain.

The strain that is most virulent in most years is A/H3N2. It is circulating at a low rate so far this year, so it isn't making very many people sick at this point. The vaccine is also well-matched to the current A/H3N2 strain found in the U.S., Canada, and Britain.

The strain that usually (but not always) causes the mildest influenza is Influenza B. The vaccine is not well-matched to most of the Influenza B that has been found so far this season in the U.S., Canada, and Britain.

2. Thimerosal in the vaccine (see this CDC web page which includes a table of flu vaccine and Thimerosal content by manufacturer)

You wrote: "the flu vaccine is one of the few that still uses the mercury-laced preservative, but a nasal-spray version of the vaccine does not"

It is correct that multiple-dose vials of influenza vaccine contain Thimerosal in more than trace amounts.

Two of the five injectable flu vaccine producers for the U.S. market make single-dose pre-filled syringes of influenza vaccine that contain no Thimerosal at all.

Two of the five injectable flu vaccine producers for the U.S. market make single-dose pre-filled syringes of influenza vaccine that contain a trace of Thimerosal.

Best regards,

Jody Lanard M.D.

The amount of mercury in the flu shots that contain thimerosal are not trace. To find out the true concentration see post # 60. Over 90% of this years supply contain the amount listed in post # 60. What does one have to do to get through to you people?

I'm terribly sorry, Dr. Lanard.... I misunderstood you. I thought you didn't want your entire email published, but wouldn't object to my attributing those two points to you. -- LMA

It is ignorant for some people to be against these drug companys. You have a choice, to take a drug/vaccine or not. At least educate yourself and then make the decision. Sure these companys are not perfect and they are a business, but I believe the amount of good that these companys produce heavily outweighs the bad. I would like to see how people respond to this article after being severely ill and in need of something that could potentially save there life.

Re: comment 96:

Not to worry.

I was just a little embarrassed, since I am not a flu expert (which is why I sent "original source links" attached to the comments).

Please don't be embarrassed; your points were good ones, and I was happy to be able to include them. But please accept my apologies anyway, for the misunderstanding! -- LMA

No.. I wasn't talking about the SPRAY.. there is also a dead vaccine that doesn't contain the mercury... its typically not offered but if you ask for it and search it out, plenty of clinics have it. A family member is allergic to thimerosal and we found the vaccine quite easily. I agree with #97 - the choice is yours of course... education is the key and the right to each to make their own decision.. For me it was to get the shot - for others, perhaps not.

You can take this discussion in many directions.. Purell anyone? Anti-biotic soap? The list of prevents/fakes/bad for you goes on and on...

Post 91 should say "I've had a flu SHOT every year since I was 18."

On March 1, 2004 my happy, healthy 4 1/2 year old daughter DIED from Influenza B.

Unfortunately, like many of you, we did not realize how serious Influenza can be. It is not just a 1-2 day flu bug. It is a serious respiratory infection that kills 36,000 people every year and hospitalizes over 200,000 people -- of whom 20,000 are children under the age of 5.
You are 100% incorrect in several aspects of your statement
1) You state that the vaccine does not work for 85% who exhibit flu-like symptoms. This is because many of these people DID NOT ACTUALLY HAVE INFLUENZA, they have other viruses which everyone lumps together as 'the flu'. The Influenza vaccine does not work (and is not supposed to work) against any other viruses, most of which are way less severe than influenza.
In actuality, millions of people, including over 30% of school age children, contract influenza each year.
2) The flu vaccine includes the 3 strains projected to be most prominent for the upcoming season. Fortunately, this year happens to be an excellent match. Most experts believe that there may also be some cross-strain protection, so even if a person contracts another strain of influenza, they may have a lesser case.
3) Hand washing is very important during flu season in order to protect against Influenza and all other viruses -- but the Influenza vaccine is by far the single most effective thing that you can do to protect your family.

Don't make the same mistake we did -- do NOT underestimate the threat that Influenza poses to your family. The flu vaccine could save your child's life!!!! It is not too late, get your kids vaccinated NOW!!!!

For more info, go to www.familiesfightingflu.org

Alissa, thank you for taking the time to comment, and for sharing the website and your story. I am very sorry for your loss... -- LMA

2)

My 11 yr. old son currently has influenza B. He did have a flu shot this year. Which afterwards he missed 2 days of school from because the shot made him sick (fever and body aches). Doctor recommended next year he get the mist vaccination. So far no one else in our home has gotten the flu, myself and 9 yr old daughter were vaccinated and husband did not get a flu shot this year. I'm not sure what I'll do in the future regarding flu vaccinations? It certainly wasn't a good thing for my son....but did it keep my daughter and myself from getting the flu?