Saturday, October 28, 2006

Flu Vaccine Worthless

This research is getting less press than one would expect given the hysteria over the Flu (and I'm not even talking about Avian Flu). Many people pin their hopes on the flu vaccine which is based on the previous year's virus. It is next to worthless unless you're a hermit and never interact with people who have been sick with the flu the year before, in which case it's totally worthless, because, well, you're a hermit. See here:

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.

I love estimations. They're so like, totally accurate, ya know? Just like all those hurricanes we've had in 2006 that were estimated by scientists.

With the amount of money, pr, fear, and energy invested in the flu vaccine, one would investigate, thoroughly, the benefits, right? Right.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

For me personal experience trumps everything. Before I started getting flu vaccines I would get a bout of flu every couple of years, sick as dog, raging fever and incapacitated for at least a week. One year I missed seeing Stars On Ice because I had a 103 degree fever. With hundreds of dollars worth of tickets to see the US Figure Skating championships in my hands I decided 10 years ago to start getting the flu shot. I haven't had the flu since. You can say it is all in my head and that it is no different than wearing garlic to ward off vampires. But it is working for me so I am going to keep rolling up my sleeve.

Anonymous said...

I don't and never will. I don't believe that anyone can successfully predict WHICH version of the flu should be protected with and i watch friends who DO get the vaccine catch the flu...every year. I haven't. (knock on wood and continue to wash hands). My chiropractor has information that says that persons who regularly get the flu vaccine show higher incidences of alzheimers. What do you think DrM? c