Flu Vaccine: Do it or not?

[bennyboy]

For any of you guys who think avoiding the flu vaccine is a good idea, welcome to the world of elementary statistics:

[Silver]

I cannot recall, but I think I might have had to get a flu shot before I attended college. Guess what? The only time I ever had the flu, I got it that winter. I am guessing it was due to the shot.

I have not had a flu shot since, and I have not had the flu since.

[thesummerqueen]

I'm not given a choice. Haz azthma, haz shot.

[Angrboda]

Death: bad thing, or not?

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

Dude, I didn't even get swine flu when it was going around freshman year. I'm golden. I don't need no steenkin' flu shot.

[Kayenneh]

I had to take the swine flu shot, because I was working at a hospital at the time. I did not get sick, but Scruffy did. [/anecdote]

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Barring special circumstances (people too weak to have the shot, people allergic to the vaccine, etc) flu shots are a good idea.

I mean, unless you ENJOY projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea.

Boru

[Psykhronic]

I never get the flu or the shot. I get a ridiculously mild cold every late fall that leaves me hacking up my smoker's lung for months even though the cold ended in like a day, but no flu. Although community immunity is helpful for those who cannot get the shot.

[NoraBrimstone]

I'm 26 and not asthmatic or anything, so I'm not eligible for a flu vaccination on the NHS.

Buuuut, my company sent all staff members vouchers to get it done private if we want to. I decided against it because I don't really like needles at all, and I've only had flu once before (granted, I thought I was dying, I was so sick) and I uh... just don't want it.

[Brian37]

Consult your doctor, period.