Flu Vaccine: Do it or not?

[Ben Davis]

I have a flu shot every year because, as a diabetic, I'm more liable to get ill and/or complications from influenza viruses.

I think people also forget just how deadly influenza really is. As a virus it's responsible for millions of deaths each year. And let's not forget entities such as Spanish flu, which killed more people post WWI than those who died during the conflict (WIKI estimates up to 3-5% of the world's population).

Influenza was the cause of my diabetes. It killed me. 3 times in 2 days. Fortunately we have the NHS here in the UK or else I'd have been a proper gonner. In fact, had that situation occurred 3 years earlier, the technology to revive me wouldn't have existed. For that, I have to thank the Elsie Bertram Diabetic Centre and DiabetesUK for the funds they pump into research every year as well as the care and expertise of the medical staff; even more important now that the coalition government have lowered NHS & research funding.

Get the vaccination people!!!