What are the benefits of the flu vaccine?

Question

Hi. I'm wondering what the pros and cons are of the flu vaccine. It seems to be very controversial these days, and I'm curious to know why. An unbiased opinion would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Answer 1

There are two types of vaccines:
The "flu shot" -- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine -- a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses -- one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. People who should get vaccinated each year are:

People at high risk for complications from the flu:
People 65 years and older; People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses; Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma; Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]); Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.); Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; All children 6 to 23 months of age; People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 to 64. People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
People who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Vaccine Effectiveness
The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.
The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:
Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). For more information go to http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/.

LAIV: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and will not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV can include: runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV can include: runny nose, headache, sore throat, cough

I'm not a Doctor... I'm just a Corpsman

Answer 2

The flu vaccine obviously immunizes you against that type of flu they are using. I have had a case of flu in my life,(knocking on wood) I could not drag myself from my bed to the bathroom alone. It took me 2 weeks to get over it and over a MONTH to get feeling right again, and I'm the kind of person that hardly ever gets sick, thank God. Since that year, I have the flu shot every year. IT HAS WORKED! I also have the Pneumonia Shot at the same time -every 5 years for that- I have had no reaction except maybe a sore arm for a day or so. I live in the Deep South and we have just as many colds and flues as the North.

Answer 3

Not only are you protecting yourself, you are helping to protect your entire community. Influenza can be fatal for some - and there are people who cannot be vaccinated including the elderly, people with immune system disorders, etc. Influenza also costs billions of dollars in lost work days each year. The vaccine is 60-80% effective - that's why the more people vaccinated, the better.

Answer 4

There is no benefit to be gained from any vaccine, especially the flu vaccine.
It actually gives many people the flu.

Do NOT get vaccinated.

A vaccinated person is MORE likely to get a disease than a non-vaccinated person. The whole theory of vaccination is flawed. It causes a weakening of the immune system thus making those who are innoculated more susceptible to disease.
There are so many awful side effects to vaccination that it should be considered extremely dangerous.
Just sit back and think for a while.
Is there any sense in injecting a disease directly into your body.
We have been subjected to an awful mind control program to enable the drug manufacturers to make a fortune.

The Vaccination Hoax
http://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html


If you go to the vaccination liberation web page, at
http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm
You will find all the forms necessary to provide exemption for your child.

If you want to study the history of vaccination, see
http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/vaccination.html

Answer 5

Hi Bender

Here is one point of view.

Childhood Immunization Vaccines – Autism – Mercury - Medicine
The hours, days and months following birth are undoubtedly the most critical phases in the life of human beings. Health and medical officials long ago decided that they knew best what should be done to children and many have made fortunes and careers out of this work. It is not by chance that infants are routinely disturbed physiologically and psychologically by medical interventions administered from the first moments of life. The incidence of childhood asthma, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases has doubled during the past 20 years; Attention Deficit Disorder has tripled, Autism has increased 600%. What part have vaccines played? Stanley Monteith, M.D.


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The Associated Press Oct 22, 2006 - Israeli Health Ministry halts flu vaccine after three people die. Israel's Health Ministry halted the administration of flu vaccines on Sunday after three people who were inoculated died, a spokeswoman said. A fourth died later, Israeli media reported.
FLU CHILDREN VACCINE

Dr. Hugh Fundenburg, one of the most quoted biologist of our time, says that if an individual has 5 consecutive flu shots his/her chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease is 10 times greater than if they had 1, two or no shots. What it will do to babies given year after year is anyone’s guess and that is exactly what it is, a guess, an experiment for no one knows, for there have been no tests. Clearly no longitudinal study has been made with babies on the effect of giving annual flu shots starting from six months of age. With an already heavy childhood immunization schedule already in place, and with children already carrying increasingly heavy burdens of toxins, including mercury administered through other vaccines, it’s a crap shoot gamble on what will happen to the children under the CDC’s rule with the addition of the flu vaccine that contains thimerosal. Most pediatric flu shots contain 12.5 mcg. of mercury. According to EPA guidelines for ingested (vs. injected) methylmercury (vs. ethylmercury) not likely to cause harm in adults, an infant or young child would need to weigh 275 pounds to receive this injection for it to be considered safe. learn more about the danger of vaccines

Best of health to your family

Cheers

Answer 6

a lot of people think that the flu vaccine will "prevent" you from getting the flu, infact it's the flu virus that's given to you, just so that when you do catch the flu it's not so severe, It' does not prevent just tones it down a bit

Answer 7

Flu prevention.

Answer 8

Diabetes is usually treated through a combination of diet (low sugar), exercise and medications/insulin. Read here https://tr.im/Oczqa
Milder cases can be controlled with just diet an/or exercise while more severe cases require meds or insulin as well.

Answer 9

Who is informed AND has a non bias opinion on anything?