Flu shots

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by s14roller

So if people are aware that the flu vaccine isn't always as effective, why do doctors and the CDC (who's mission statement is to save lives and protect people) still recommend it? Meanwhile, there are articles that talk to the effectiveness, and still say it's better to take it...again, referring to the good people at Harvard...

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/...t-201411157530

So far in this thread we have had an experienced ER doc share his experiences about the flu vaccine, where are the rest of us getting large data sets?

In 56 years I have had the flu exactly one time, the year I got the vaccine.

As the doc said, the trouble is that the vaccine formulators have to try to predict what strains will be infectious far enough in advance to manufacture the stock. It's an educated guess. Sometimes they guess well, others they miss the target.

A question for the experts: If they've missed the target, and they know the vaccine isn't formulated for that years' strains, how are the stats measuring any effectiveness at all?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

A question for the experts: If they've missed the target, and they know the vaccine isn't formulated for that years' strains, how are the stats measuring any effectiveness at all?

In any given year, there are numerous strains of influenza causing illness. The vaccines target the strains expected to be the most prevalent for the next year. Even when they are wrong in predicting the expected most prevalent strains, the vaccine can prevent illnesses caused by the less common targeted strains.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

In 56 years I have had the flu exactly one time, the year I got the vaccine.

As the doc said, the trouble is that the vaccine formulators have to try to predict what strains will be infectious far enough in advance to manufacture the stock. It's an educated guess. Sometimes they guess well, others they miss the target.

A question for the experts: If they've missed the target, and they know the vaccine isn't formulated for that years' strains, how are the stats measuring any effectiveness at all?

That's a great question, I'd be curious to know as well.

I'm also wondering how many of the 90% of people who received an admittedly ineffective flu shot in 2005 could have actually increased their risk of contracting the flu because of misplaced confidence in the vaccine?

Might some have been more careful (compulsive handwashing, avoidance of contact with potentially infected individuals, etc) had they not had the false security of what amounted only to a 10% protection?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

In any given year, there are numerous strains of influenza causing illness. The vaccines target the strains expected to be the most prevalent for the next year. Even when they are wrong in predicting the expected most prevalent strains, the vaccine can prevent illnesses caused by the less common targeted strains.

Thanks doc.