Quote:
Originally Posted by Pugchief
After the whole Covid vax scandal, I'm wondering what the retired MDs on here think about the flu shot. Still worth getting or more worthless propaganda?
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I don't know what you mean by worthless propaganda as I am not aware of any reputable doctor promoting anything worthless, although there are some you tube doctors pushing quackery... but I digress
The flu vaccine is of some value. It is one of the less effective vaccines available but there are lots of things in medicine of some but not great efficacy. It is a very safe vaccine with many decades of use so the risk to benefit ratio in the general population is good.
There are medical conditions where the benefit is greater such as existing lung disease, COPD, asthma etc. Years ago any egg allergy was a reason not to get the shot, but that is no longer a concern.
Now only anaphylaxis is a concern. Just hives? not a problem
Some years there is a lot of circulating influenza, others see much less disease. Obviously in a low risk season, the benefit of the shot is diminished. One other factor in deciding whether to not get vaccinated is unlike many viral illness, there are medications that can be taken to reduce disease severity if begun early in the course of influenza. Now, these medication do have
side effects, more than the shot.
To summarize, the chance of you getting sick enough from flu to require a
doctor visit is reduced 50% by getting the shot in a year with a good match of circulating virus to vaccine component