Maynard asks this question every year at this time
Every year, the medical mavens read the tea leaves and decide which strains of flu are likely to haunt the globe in the near future. Every year, a new formula is concocted that will, in theory, inoculate against the probable hazards. In October and November, the at-risk and the cautious will contemplate getting a flu shot.
In recent years, I’ve decided in favor of getting the shot, on the theory that the small price and minor annoyance is worth it if it saves me from several days of misery. But what are the chances that the shot actually does me some good? That’s the key question. If I am protected from a 1-in-100 chance of illness, then I won’t bother. But maybe it’s worthwhile if the chances of evading disease were improved by 1 chance in 10 or better.
The Center for Disease Control page declares that 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu every year. That’s a range between 1 in 20 and 1 in 5. Of course, some people are more likely to get it than others. You’re probably at a high risk if you’re in a profession where you have to deal with a lot of people and touch them (such as with prostitutes and politicians). On the other hand, if you live in a bunker and compulsively wash your hands like I do, you may be a low risk. But I doubt any of us city folk are truly safe. Considering the uncertainty of what strains will hit or what percentage of the population will be affected, it’s probably a reasonable to offer the very broad and vague guess that the shot has a 1-in-10 chance of being useful (that is, it will either deflect an illness that you would otherwise have caught entirely, or it will significantly reduce the extent of its impact).
If you don’t have a handy doctor to administer a flu shot, there are plenty of roving clinics that visit local pharmacies. You can check, for example, the Sav-on flu shot clinic schedule. They’ll charge maybe $25.
(Last year I attended a Sav-on clinic, and ended up being the final person to get the shot that day. As they were wrapping up, I heard the caregivers exchanging tales. They were noting that it was fairly typical for people of apparent health and means (i.e., wearing jewelry and cell phones and the like) to reach the head of the line and then complain about having to pay for the shot. “Whaddya mean you want money? Isn’t the government supposed to pay for this?”)
I guess I’ll likely get the shot this year. Does anybody want to weigh in on whether getting the shot is wisdom or madness?
[A note from Tammy: I, unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your POV, can never get a flu shot. I'm allergic to the preservative thimerosal, which is used in the flu shot. I first learned about this allergy, as many people did, when contact lenses were first in mainstream use. The solutions at that time were all preserved with thimerosal and those of us with the previously undiagnosed allergy all got eye infections. This is one reason why many contact solutions are touted as being 'preservative-free.' They do make a "preservative free" shot, but that's like "caffeine free" coffee--not entirely free of the problematic ingredient. Just a heads-up for those of you with the same allergy I have--considering thimerosal is used in medical applications, it's worth noting to your doctor, especially if you want to take the flu shot].
I am avoiding flu shots because of thimerosal. I believe we will find out at some point that there may be a link to brain disease associated with mercury in thimerosal and I simply don’t want to take the chance at my age…52.
Just a quick note for Tammy – I’m in my last 4-ish weeks of pregnancy and have been going through the flu or no flu debate myself. I generally don’t get the shot and after hearing about theories that thimerosal can possibly lead to autism and other things in an unborn child I made the decision not to bother, again. However, I have read on a few of the pregnancy sites that there are more batches of flu shots being made without thimerosal as the preservative. If you’re interrested, it may be worth looking into.
Maynard,
I get one every year because I work in an Emergency Room. The recommendations are for people over 50 and very young children. These groups are more likely to have complications if they get the flu. If you are under 50 but will be around masses of people every day it might be a good idea. If there is plenty of vaccine to go around this year, it couldn’t hurt to go ahead and get it unless you’re allergic like Tammy. Or you could not get it and be very vigilant about washing your hands after shaking hands or shopping, etc. and also doing things to keep up your immunity (ie.excerise, vitamins, lower stress.) Also, don’t stand next to sick people. :)
Maynard, as a kid out of high school, I worked in a body shop at a dealership that sold Chevy, Olds and Cadillac. It was the Cadillac owners who would try to nickel and dime you to death asking for freebies. Chevy and Olds owners were much, much less likely to ask for something free. Caddy owners would, to paraphrase my deal old mother, pinch a nickel till the buffalo roared.