Are you getting the over 65 super flu shot? Is it worth it? (retired, friend)
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When medicines, including vaccines, are tested, some of the subjects are indeed given placebos (in a double-blind manner) so that their results can be compared to the results of those receiving the study medication. In order to be approved for marketing, the med has to have a demonstrated effectiveness better than that of the placebo effect.
I am not arguing that the placebo effect is not powerful, because it has been proven to be powerful indeed. What I am saying is that the portion of your statement which I bolded is quite an exaggeration.
I understand the stats and methodology and don't entirely disagree. Folks in studies always know they may be getting a placebo, they have to sign papers acknowledging such. Begs the question what the stats would be if everyone in a study believes they are taking the real deal. Certainly once a drug is approved, everyone who prescribes and most who take it believes in it and that surely amps the efficacy rate. That no drug is 100% effective is imo testimony to them being belief-influenced as well as mechanistic. No way to know the ratio.
Back on topic, vaccines in general have a very high efficacy rate, especially compared with other drug classes.
No. I have only gotten the flu 4 times in the last 35 years, and never took the vaccine.
However, in my 20s, I took the flu shot every year (4 years in a row) and immediately came down with the flu, and every time ended up with pneumonia, as well. I quit taking the vaccine and even missed the swine flu in the 70s, and didn't contract influenza again until the mid 90s.
Last edited by brokensky; 09-16-2014 at 12:11 PM..
There is no consensus that the super flu vaccine provides better protection but there are many reports that it has more side effects.
I am a great believer in getting an annual flu shot (after a horrible flu case some twenty years ago) and will get my vaccination soon.
That is my opinion also.
The last time my wife failed to get a flu shot (she did not "have the time" to get the flu shot from my employer), she caught the flu and was hospitalized for a couple days. She was out of work for a week.
There's no right or wrong, I'm glad it's a choice and not mandated. Those who shun flu vaccines and haven't had the flu in years do owe some gratitude to those of us who do get the shots.
I have never gotten even the regular flu shot and have not had any flu in at least 20 years.
I'll stick with what apparently works for me.
I also don't use antibacterial wipes or hand lotions.
Same here...never had a flu shot. I've had the flu three times in my life at age 15, 35 and 55. So about every 20 years. I guess I'll be 'due' in another three years. I DO use antibacterial stuff at work. I handle money all day and work in close proximity to other people. It still amazes me that I never even get colds from all that. Maybe every three or four years.
There's no right or wrong, I'm glad it's a choice and not mandated. Those who shun flu vaccines and haven't had the flu in years do owe some gratitude to those of us who do get the shots.
Every time I have gotten the flu, it has been because my husband (who religiously takes the flu shot b/c he is in and out of hospitals and airplanes) brought it home.
Several times I was able to avoid it even though he ended up so sick he had to go to the ER.
Bleach, Lysol, frequent hand washing and most of all -- staying out of public places (and especially, doctor's offices, hospitals, retaurants, grocery stores and airplanes) will often be enough for retired folks to avoid the flu.
It doesn't take but one person sneezing in your direction (or putting their hands on a banana you pick up) for flu to be transmitted.
I think the Japanese have it right; they wear face masks during flu season when out in public. I like that.
Every time I ever had flu, it was a relatively mild case. Except for the coughing. That sometimes lasted months. Then I discovered that I could get rid of the coughing by taking guaifenesin. It takes a number of pills over several days, and the coughing ends. If I ever get a severe case of flu, I might reconsider, but for the time being, I don't see much point in flu shots. Most years I don't even get any colds or flu at all. Every few years I get a "24 hour virus" whatever that is, but it's not likely to be flu. Most people who get what they think is flu don't actually have any very good reasons to believe it really is flu. It often turns out to be something else, such as food poisoning or something. That might be what happens in a lot of cases when someone gets flu vaccine and then comes down with the flu. What they came down with might have been something else. But why get a vaccine if it only covers one disease, and you're just as likely to get some other disease? Vaccines should be for more serious diseases, that can cause lethal epidemics. A vaccine helps other people more than it helps you. Its main value is in making you less contagious. It should be used for saving lives, not for preventing mild illnesses. And if a disease is serious enough to require a vaccine, the vaccine should be required by law. Because it's to help the community, not to help the individual.
Last edited by eok; 09-16-2014 at 01:04 PM..
Reason: typo
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