Reading this thread I'm amazed at how much random and weird belief there is around the flu jab! I expect it from the "the-gubbermint-is-tryin'-to-make-us-sick" department of the fundie brigade, but not from a group of critical thinkers!
Its very simple. Every year they select 4 or 5 strains of flu they think might cause epidemics that year and put them in the vaccine. It won't protect you from any other strains, of from a rhinovirus (cold) or from secondary infections like pneumonia. It offers some immunity (not 100%) from the strains of flu in it.
If enough people have it it limits the spread of any flu outbreaks by offering a critical level of herd immunity. The plan is to prevent pandemic flu, the consequences of which are fucking scary. I was part of a working group designated to look at the effects of a flu pandemic and its scary how little of the workforce have to be out of action before the infrastructure starts to degrade. So its a very good idea.
And no, it CAN'T give you the flu. The virus is dead. What it can do is cause your body to have a similar immunological response to that which you could get with an infection, but that's nowhere near as widespread as people believe given that the flu jab is offered at the time of year when infectious diseases go on the rise anyway.
Its very simple. Every year they select 4 or 5 strains of flu they think might cause epidemics that year and put them in the vaccine. It won't protect you from any other strains, of from a rhinovirus (cold) or from secondary infections like pneumonia. It offers some immunity (not 100%) from the strains of flu in it.
If enough people have it it limits the spread of any flu outbreaks by offering a critical level of herd immunity. The plan is to prevent pandemic flu, the consequences of which are fucking scary. I was part of a working group designated to look at the effects of a flu pandemic and its scary how little of the workforce have to be out of action before the infrastructure starts to degrade. So its a very good idea.
And no, it CAN'T give you the flu. The virus is dead. What it can do is cause your body to have a similar immunological response to that which you could get with an infection, but that's nowhere near as widespread as people believe given that the flu jab is offered at the time of year when infectious diseases go on the rise anyway.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
