The news is all about the COVID-19 coronavirus infections…and I am not downplaying that in the least. But we still are mid-flu season here in the United States and as the president himself was surprised to learn this week, tens of thousands of Americans die from the flu each year.
And a major effort around combating COVID-19 is the development of a safe and effective vaccine. The president seemed to indicate that would happen very quickly while healthcare professionals estimate 12 to 18 months. Yet a vaccine is seen as a critical element going forward.
But here’s some facts from Healthline: In 2018, about 647,000 Americans were hospitalized for the flu. And over 36,000+ of us died as a result of the flu. Yet we have safe vaccines available every year. And they are effective, although their effectiveness varies from year to year. The CDC is saying this year’s flu shot is only about 45% effective. But even then, flu shots can reduce the severity of the flu if you’ve gotten your shot.
But there is one certain fact that is truly troubling: not enough people get their flu shot.
And then there’s herd immunity: a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune. I don’t know what the level of vaccinations that are required to prevent the spread of flu but I bet it’s higher than 69%!
and one last tidbit from Healthline…and even though written last October it hasn’t changed:
Experts say now is the time to get your flu shot. Despite common misperceptions, the flu shot can’t give you the flu. You can’t be too healthy that you don’t need it, and you need to get a new shot every year.
I want you all reading Blogging Blue in the future…SO GET YOUR DAMN FLU SHOT!
P.S. I am not suggesting that flu shots provide any type of protection from COVID-19.
Also– seriously consider getting the improved version of the Shingles shot.
Most everybody had chicken pox as a child so you are vulnerable to shingles in your senior years as your immune system is less effective.
Nope. Never had in my 60 plus years and only had the flu once, over 30 years ago. My wife had never had a flu shot or the flu that she remembers. I still do not know any one who has died of the flu, though I know it can happen.
So will I be getting a flu shot? Nope. I like to keep my good health.
Well, I haven’t had the flu in years either…but I never failed to get it through my employers the last 25 years of my working life and the enhanced version through Medicare. If you haven’t had the shots and have stayed healthy, you are either very very lucky (and should run out and buy a lottery ticket immediately) or you are a cloistered monk. In the meantime this two week old article from Madison states that there was a second death in Wisconsin for this flu season: https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/health-med-fit/flu-surges-in-wisconsin-with-second-child-death-hundreds-of/article_3ca911ec-48b0-5db4-8f4f-3a159f5457ca.html#utm_source=madison.com&utm_campaign=%2Femail-updates%2Fmadison%2Fmadison9&utm_medium=PostUp&utm_content=76b6fe8902563310c3cd61edbe5ccb92b8b9a3c6
ED Heinzelman. You must be an American, the people who are bombarded daily by the fear mongering media, get your flu shot.
First, we know the flu shot is on average only 40% effective, so mathematicaly speaking you should get the flu every 2nd year or so, but you did not, why? You would have got the flu, flu shot or no shot. Me and my wife and people I know, never get the flu shot and never get the flu, why?
I live up in Canada where only 34% of population gets the flu shot. Most of Europe does not give the flu shot, except to the elderly, they are not all dying of the flu, they actually live longer than you.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/effectiveness-studies.htm Average out the last 16 years shown here and you get 40% effective.
And before you call me a anti-vaxer for not getting a flu shot, note that only 48% of Americans get a flu shot.
See here for all the links and why I will not get a flu shot.
https://www.arationallookatvaccines.com/flu-shot-yes-or-no
You are reading this blog and don’t know that I am an American? So how did you come to this page??
From the article in the previous comment: Flu activity is surging in Wisconsin, with health officials on Thursday reporting the season’s second pediatric death and more than 500 hospitalizations this week, including at least 100 hospitalizations Thursday morning.
“We’re not at peak activity yet,” said Tom Haupt, influenza surveillance coordinator for the state Department of Health Services. “We probably won’t be at peak activity for several weeks, followed by many more weeks of high activity.”
You might find this interesting. I beleive California is the only state that monitors vaccination status of people who get sick or die from flu.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/Annual2016-2017.pdf See pages 10 and 11 shows over 50% who died or get serious flu, were vaccinated.
And here for the next here, Page 11
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/Annual2017-18.pdf