QuoteWhy 64.8 percent of Americans didn't get a flu shot
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As the country's flu outbreak becomes an epidemic, odds are that you've had a few sheepish feelings about not doing something you probably should have: Gotten a flu shot.
As of this November, the majority of American adults – 64.8 percent, to be exact – had not received a flu immunization. This wasn't a surprise to researchers: Flu is a disease with one the lowest vaccination rates.
Though more than 95 percent of students entered kindergarten last year immunized against measles, mumps and rubella, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 36.5 percent of all Americans received flu vaccinations by November 2012.
It's worth noting that the percentage does tend to rise over the course of flu season: By March 2012 vaccination rates had grown to 47.6 percent from 36.3 percent in November 2011.
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Why are flu vaccination rates so low? Lori Uscher-Pines, a policy researcher at the RAND Corp., estimates that part of the issue has to do with no consequences for not getting vaccinated (well, except for coming down with the flu). Unlike childhood vaccines, which are generally required to start a school year, employers don't stop their workers' from coming to work if they cannot prove flu immunization.
"Children have regular encounters like well child visits where they get vaccinated," she said. "There's a constant contact with the health-care system."
Americans also tend to have negative perceptions about the flu vaccine. A study Uscher-Pines did in 2011 found that about half of those who did not get vaccinated agreed with statements such as "I don't need it" or "I don't believe in flu vaccines."
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Some of these complaints do have a kernel of truth to them: Flu vaccines tend to have a lower efficacy rate than other immunizations. Patients given the MMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella), for example, have a 95 percent chance of developing immunity to those diseases (97 percent for mumps).
This year's flu vaccine is 62 percent effective, meaning that those who receive the vaccination are 62 percent less likely to develop the flu than those who don't. That does leave space for someone who receives the vaccine to become sick but, as public health officials would argue, gives them better odds than an individual without any protection at all.
Flu vaccines are tricky, in no small part because the disease "mutates often," The Washington Post's Lena H. Sun explains, "and the antibodies that people produce only protect them through one flu season." As one CDC official told her, "The nature of flu viruses and the complexity of the human immune response makes it very difficult to develop a 100-percent effective vaccine."
What can convince Americans to get immunized? Researchers at Wake Forest University recently conducted an experiment on this subject, and their findings weren't exactly optimistic.
The team — led by economists Fred Chen, Allin Cottrell and Amanda Griffith — had participants play a not-so-fun video game that simulated the spread of the flu.
Players could earn points (later converted into gift cards) by staying healthy. They could also spend some of those points to buy a vaccine.
In other words, they faced a choice: Should they pony up on a preventive measure early or roll the dice, save a few bucks and not buy the vaccine?
Researchers found that a few external factors made participants more likely to buy a vaccine. If the immunization was cheaper, vaccination rates went up. As the number of infections went up, too, players became more likely to decide to take the plunge and pay for immunization.
That research gels with what we're seeing now: As the flu epidemic has spread, so has desire for flu vaccines — and so has flu vaccine shortages. It's just what the economists expected to happen.
I get one every year. When I lived in Boston, company paid for it (since it was a medical center, after all). Now, company doesn't cover it but a) I'd just been in the habit of getting one, and b) since I have asthma anything that messes with my respiratory system is magnified by 10 due to the asthma.
I've been getting one each year for the last 10 years or so.
I've never gotten the vaccine, and never gotten the flu.
Only the elderly and infirm get flu shots here.
I got one this year, because it was free and I felt impulsive. Generally I would never bother since there are greater odds the vaccination will make me sick than me actually getting the flu.
Aren't they in limited supply and prioritised for at risk groups? :unsure:
That's my thought too tyr. I'm not necessarily opposed to it but it have never bothered to yet one.
Quote from: Tyr on January 14, 2013, 08:14:07 AM
Aren't they in limited supply and prioritised for at risk groups? :unsure:
I heard there were some shortages a few weeks ago, but nothing earth-shattering.
I never used to get one, but since I've had 6 in a row administered by work--and got one from the local pharmacy this season--I haven't had anything nasty since 2003 when I had a bout of pneumonia, knock on wood.
I usually wait until December or January for it, I don't get the early batches in Sept-Oct.
I had the flu when I was 12, never gotten a vaccine. I've thought about getting it this year (free since I have an under 2 years old & my gf is pregnant) but I never got around to it.
Never got it. AFAIK only the elderly and sick get it over here.
I get them yearly after the flu( and its buddy, pneumonia) nearly kilt me in in the early 90's
Used to not get it, last two years I have.
Really need to start, I've been getting flu pretty regularly the past 5 years or so.
I get mine through work.
Quote from: grumbler on January 14, 2013, 07:58:16 AM
I've never gotten the vaccine, and never gotten the flu.
This.
Mandated by Uncle Sammy.
Meant to get it this year, but didn't.
Have gotten the shot every year since we had the first kid. Wife has been lazy about it most of the time.
I am going next week to some research place where they will pay me $150 to get a flu shot.
My wife set it up.
And did she just take out new life insurance policy on you?
If they're having to pay you $150 I don't want to know where they're injecting it.
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
Being immune to an individual flu strain is fairly meaningless given how frequently it mutates.
The idea is that you want to stop the spread of the flu virus so that the sick and elderly aren't exposed to it at all. That's why I started getting them - I had a pregnant wife / young children running around and the flu could be potentially dangerous to them.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
Granted, flu is not the most painful disease known to man, but how exactly is it better to get the flu than get the shot?
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
I can see a couple of reasons. One is that flu is pretty nasty even for healthy adults. No need to get knocked out of commission for at the very least several days, if you can avoid it painlessly. And lastly, healthy adults may be able to weather the flu well, but them being sick doesn't just affect them, it also affects people around them. Herd immunity and all that.
I try and stay away from children and the elderly.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
I don't get it. How is it better to get the flu than not? Being immune to a particular strain isn't a very valuable commodity, given you can only get a particular strain once, and the flu virus mutates quickly.
Also, you guys are seriously understating how miserable a bad case of the flu can be even for a healthy young person. Also dangerous, because even healthy young people on occasion die from the secondary complications - mainly pneumonia.
Quote from: Barrister on January 14, 2013, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
Being immune to an individual flu strain is fairly meaningless given how frequently it mutates.
The idea is that you want to stop the spread of the flu virus so that the sick and elderly aren't exposed to it at all. That's why I started getting them - I had a pregnant wife / young children running around and the flu could be potentially dangerous to them.
I read somewhere (and of course, now I can't find it) that the difference between the flu shot's immunity and a body's natural immunity is that the body will actually develop immunities to the various mutations from a particular strain. The flu shot does not do that.
Not had one, not sure I've ever had flu; also when I'm on those rare occasions ill, I'll stay away from other people for a few days after, as far as possible.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 14, 2013, 01:21:44 PM
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
Granted, flu is not the most painful disease known to man, but how exactly is it better to get the flu than get the shot?
What Meri said. The immunity you get from having had the flu is "broader" than that one stain. It is also more likely you get a less severe type of sickness the next time. Like a sore throat instead of high fever, etc.
The flu shot protects you X% for one year against one strain. Getting the flu protects you 100% against that strain forever, AND gives you X% against silmilar strains, AND makes it more likely that you will have less symptoms the next time you get the flu. Not to mention that all these benefits are lifelong. What will your immunesystem look like in 40 years? All the effects from the flu shots are gone then and you have no natural immunity to speak of?
Like I said, from an individual perspective it makes more sense to not get the shot.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 02:09:34 PM
What Meri said. The immunity you get from having had the flu is "broader" than that one stain. It is also more likely you get a less severe type of sickness the next time. Like a sore throat instead of high fever, etc.
The flu shot protects you X% for one year against one strain. Getting the flu protects you 100% against that strain forever, AND gives you X% against silmilar strains, AND makes it more likely that you will have less symptoms the next time you get the flu. Not to mention that all these benefits are lifelong. What will your immunesystem look like in 40 years? All the effects from the flu shots are gone then and you have no natural immunity to speak of?
Like I said, from an individual perspective it makes more sense to not get the shot.
The bolded part isn't true. The immunity you develop from getting the flu doesn't last forever, like the chicken pox immunity. It has a shelf-life. Admittedly, the shelf-life is a good bit longer than with the shot (I think it's 5-7 years compared to 1 with the shot), but still not lifelong. Of course, every time you're exposed to a flu strain, you develop new immunities, so your body evolves with the flu strains, again, something the shots don't always keep pace with.
Ok, that is not what Ive been told, but Im not going to argue.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 02:09:34 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 14, 2013, 01:21:44 PM
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
Granted, flu is not the most painful disease known to man, but how exactly is it better to get the flu than get the shot?
What Meri said. The immunity you get from having had the flu is "broader" than that one stain. It is also more likely you get a less severe type of sickness the next time. Like a sore throat instead of high fever, etc.
The flu shot protects you X% for one year against one strain. Getting the flu protects you 100% against that strain forever, AND gives you X% against silmilar strains, AND makes it more likely that you will have less symptoms the next time you get the flu. Not to mention that all these benefits are lifelong. What will your immunesystem look like in 40 years? All the effects from the flu shots are gone then and you have no natural immunity to speak of?
Like I said, from an individual perspective it makes more sense to not get the shot.
Any proof for all this? So far, seems based on something someone read once. Looking around the 'net, much of what is written on the subject appears to come from lunatic anti-vaccine advocates. There is a
lot of internet mythology around vaccination.
Also odd given that CDC lists that seasonal vaccines protect against 3 strains.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
QuoteThe seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.
And then:
QuoteAlso, multiple studies conducted over different seasons and across vaccine types and influenza virus subtypes have shown that the body's immunity to influenza viruses (acquired either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time.
Yeah, I'd be interested in seeing some reliable study that demonstrated a difference between "natural" immunity and immunity from the vaccine. So far, what I'm reading is that both last a while but not necessarily forever.
If they aren't markedly different, I'm not seeing a benefit to getting the disease over getting a needle.
Quote from: Malthus on January 14, 2013, 02:32:42 PM
Any proof for all this? So far, seems based on something someone read once. Looking around the 'net, much of what is written on the subject appears to come from lunatic anti-vaccine advocates. There is a lot of internet mythology around vaccination.
No proof or internet source Im afraid. The info is from one of our top ranking experts on influensa though. Back in 08 when the big pig-flu reached pandemic status, we had a big information meeting here in parliament with all the relevant political advisors (of which I was one) and medical experts. So in my mind, this is rock-solid. But I completely understand if you dont want to take my word for it. Can give you the experts name if you want but doubt that will make that much difference.. Prof Björn Olsson if I remember correctly.
If one gets a flu shot they not only get an increased chance of getting the flu from the viruses that they were inoculated against that year but if one also gets the shot every year then your body builds up resistences to all the various flu viruses inoculated against over the years - alough that protection fades with time.
In addition to the protection one gives to themselves avoiding getting the flu also protects those around the said person. Those that advacate protecting themselves by getting the flu are not only illogical but also a danger to those people around them for whom the flu could mean death.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 03:51:43 PM
Quote from: Malthus on January 14, 2013, 02:32:42 PM
Any proof for all this? So far, seems based on something someone read once. Looking around the 'net, much of what is written on the subject appears to come from lunatic anti-vaccine advocates. There is a lot of internet mythology around vaccination.
No proof or internet source Im afraid. The info is from one of our top ranking experts on influensa though. Back in 08 when the big pig-flu reached pandemic status, we had a big information meeting here in parliament with all the relevant political advisors (of which I was one) and medical experts. So in my mind, this is rock-solid. But I completely understand if you dont want to take my word for it. Can give you the experts name if you want but doubt that will make that much difference.. Prof Björn Olsson if I remember correctly.
Only thing in English I could find was this.
http://medinab.blogspot.ca/2012/02/got-right-on-vaccination.html
QuoteIt was about a secret agreement that Sweden has signed with pharmaceutical company Glaxo and you could not get away.
Had to use
The agreement forced Sweden to purchase drugs for about 1.3 billion when the WHO declared that swine flu was a pandemic of class 6, the most severe form of the worldwide epidemic. According to the newspaper's investigation could be for political reasons not to let the expensive medicine lie unused. Hence came the decision on mass vaccination, which only three other countries carried out.
Bjorn Olsson says he feels happy about the revelation that Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet brought.
- I thought it was odd that we would carry out mass vaccination when all the facts spoke about the flu was milder than other flus. But did they not responsible for. You should have studied the effects of influenza in New Zealand and Australia more closely because these countries were hit first.
In this context, he talks about that a normal flu usually cause about 2,000 Swedes died. This compares favorably with the 70 Swedes who died from complications of swine flu.
Test of 300 children
Bjorn Olsson is also critical to the Glaxo only tested the drug on 300 children. According to him it was too few for it to get a picture of the possible side effects.
- Now, many children suffered from narcolepsy, as I see it, this is more serious than the thalidomide scandal since the mass vaccination could have been avoided if the responsible officials have been more accurate. Ultimately falls a heavy responsibility on the minister, Maria Larsson, says Björn Olsson.
He calls for an independent inquiry to examine what happened when the decision on mass vaccination was taken. All in order to avoid similar mistakes in future.
Comparing mass flu vaccination
unfavorably with the Thalidomide scandal = probably a nutter. Assuming all this is accurate of course.
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Never got one, probably never will.
What I dont get about the US fixation with flu vaccine is why so many non-sick non-elderly get it. From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
I have not seen any research, but I strongly suspect that all these years of flu shots have really led to a lower basic immunity/immune system in the population over there.
Sigh.
Vaccinations are the single greatest development of Western medicine yet idiots like you aren't seen as bat shit crazy. You make me want to root for the Muslims.
Thank god I'm not going into pediatrics or primary care. I don't know how they manage to stay sane with a population as willfully ignorant as ours.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 14, 2013, 01:21:44 PM
Quote from: Bluebook on January 14, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
From an individual perspective it is far better to have the flu (and then being immune to that strain ever after) than to take a flu shot that may or may not protect you from the flu.
Granted, flu is not the most painful disease known to man, but how exactly is it better to get the flu than get the shot?
The seasonal flu kills three to four times more Americans per year than AIDS. In pandemic years like 1918 the influenza virus has proven capable of killing off 2.5-5% of the world human population. It certainly ranks up there as one of the most painful diseases known to man.
You don't weaken your immune system by getting exposed to killed viral antigens via a needle injection versus being inoculated through respiratory droplets from the guy next to you on the bus.
Quote from: Tonitrus on January 14, 2013, 12:03:54 PM
Mandated by Uncle Sammy.
I got it in Sept, got the flu in Dec. LOL
Quote from: lustindarkness on January 14, 2013, 08:30:38 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on January 14, 2013, 12:03:54 PM
Mandated by Uncle Sammy.
I got it in Sept, got the flu in Dec. LOL
Did you get the flu mist, or the actual shot?
They usually try to pass us off with the mist, but I said "fuck that" and went to Costco for an injection.
Quote from: lustindarkness on January 14, 2013, 08:30:38 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on January 14, 2013, 12:03:54 PM
Mandated by Uncle Sammy.
I got it in Sept, got the flu in Dec. LOL
Did you actually go to a clinic and get tested for influenza in December? Maybe you did get influenza from one of these strains not covered by the trivalent vaccine. Maybe you got an infection with a different kind of virus. Yeah, we like to think that we can self diagnose the flu based purely on physical symptoms - myalgia, fever, chills, etc. but the specificity of those symptoms is relatively poor. A lot of things can cause those symptoms, only one of them is the flu.
Mist.
Yes, properly diagnosed with flu.
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 08:36:14 PM
Did you actually go to a clinic and get tested for influenza in December? Maybe you did get influenza from one of these strains not covered by the trivalent vaccine. Maybe you got an infection with a different kind of virus. Yeah, we like to think that we can self diagnose the flu based purely on physical symptoms - myalgia, fever, chills, etc. but the specificity of those symptoms is relatively poor. A lot of things can cause those symptoms, only one of them is the flu.
Even the CDC says that the flu shot is only about 60% effective. Why would you be surprised that he got it?
Quote from: garbon on January 14, 2013, 02:44:19 PM
Also odd given that CDC lists that seasonal vaccines protect against 3 strains.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
QuoteThe seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.
LOL, that probably explains it for me: I knew that there were three different flu strains, and my body seems to smite two of them and maybe, maybe not catch the third every few years. When I had my one & only flu shot a few years back, though, I got sicker than I've been in years. Fuckers probably jacked me up with the one kind of flu that, well, jacks me up...
:ccr
Quote from: merithyn on January 14, 2013, 09:13:56 PM
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 08:36:14 PM
Did you actually go to a clinic and get tested for influenza in December? Maybe you did get influenza from one of these strains not covered by the trivalent vaccine. Maybe you got an infection with a different kind of virus. Yeah, we like to think that we can self diagnose the flu based purely on physical symptoms - myalgia, fever, chills, etc. but the specificity of those symptoms is relatively poor. A lot of things can cause those symptoms, only one of them is the flu.
Even the CDC says that the flu shot is only about 60% effective. Why would you be surprised that he got it?
I'm not surprised he got influenza. I just asked because most people tend to self diagnose themselves with influenza based on clinical symptoms rather than go to the doctor's office to confirm. Generally what they're feeling is something called a "viral syndrome" (i.e. chills, aches, fever) which can certainly be caused by influenza. However influenza is just one of many viral agents that can present with those exact same symptoms. I would understand if a lay person inferred that their flu shot didn't work because they got a parainfluenza or coronavirus infection.
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 09:52:18 PM
I would understand if a lay person inferred that their flu shot didn't work because they got a parainfluenza or coronavirus infection.
If those make me sicker than the flu, shouldn't they be innoculating me for those?
Quote from: C.C.R. on January 14, 2013, 10:08:22 PM
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 09:52:18 PM
I would understand if a lay person inferred that their flu shot didn't work because they got a parainfluenza or coronavirus infection.
If those make me sicker than the flu, shouldn't they be innoculating me for those?
Seriously. The flu shot is only 60% effective, and there are still a million other bugs out there that you can get that make you just as sick. And they wonder why only 50% of the population bother.
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 07:27:48 PM
Sigh.
Vaccinations are the single greatest development of Western medicine yet idiots like you aren't seen as bat shit crazy. You make me want to root for the Muslims.
Thank god I'm not going into pediatrics or primary care. I don't know how they manage to stay sane with a population as willfully ignorant as ours.
Hey, Fate, are you planning to be a surgeon?
Quote from: C.C.R. on January 14, 2013, 10:08:22 PM
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 09:52:18 PM
I would understand if a lay person inferred that their flu shot didn't work because they got a parainfluenza or coronavirus infection.
If those make me sicker than the flu, shouldn't they be innoculating me for those?
It's hard to make vaccines to some viruses because we simply can't find an antigen that produces a strong and prolonged immune response. HIV and Hepatitis C are good examples of that. Those viruses are highly adaptable and evade our body's immune system. For the common cold, there are literally thousands of serotypes of viruses that cause it. It'd be impossible to make a vaccine that could produce immunity to all of them. Although there is promising research and trials for a "universal" influenza vaccine that could theoretically cover most if not all of the influenza viruses. We'll have to see how it pans out.
Right now we're playing a probability game. The World Health Organization makes an educated guess as to the most severe and most common types of influenza present in the upcoming season and we manufacture a vaccine based on that recommendation. There are way more than 3 types of influenza in any given season, so people can still get sick with the virus. The vaccine is also not 100% effective as Meri has pointed out. But this method is the best way we have of lowering influenza mortality.
Quote from: merithyn on January 14, 2013, 10:58:42 PM
Hey, Fate, are you planning to be a surgeon?
Yeah, for now I'm planning to go into neurosurgery but I have 1 more year of medical school to go.
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 11:35:13 PM
Quote from: merithyn on January 14, 2013, 10:58:42 PM
Hey, Fate, are you planning to be a surgeon?
Yeah, for now I'm planning to go into neurosurgery but I have 1 more year of medical school to go.
Well, I think you've got the arrogant, condescending prick part down. You should probably stop with those classes for the moment or you'll outshine all the other surgeons I've met. :)
Quote from: merithyn on January 14, 2013, 11:40:47 PM
Quote from: Fate on January 14, 2013, 11:35:13 PM
Quote from: merithyn on January 14, 2013, 10:58:42 PM
Hey, Fate, are you planning to be a surgeon?
Yeah, for now I'm planning to go into neurosurgery but I have 1 more year of medical school to go.
Well, I think you've got the arrogant, condescending prick part down. You should probably stop with those classes for the moment or you'll outshine all the other surgeons I've met. :)
I can't imagine what a bastard I'll be like after 7 more years of residency training. :lol:
I've never had either a flu vaccination or the flu.
I think it is over-diagnosed by the way. Over 40 years ago two of my grandparents had the flu, I was genuinely in fear of their lives and it took months for them to fully recover. Since then, in my extended family and my wife's extended family, there have been no cases at all.
I just got a flu shot for the first time. The hospital is cracking down and it was either get a flu shot or wear a mask everywhere I go.
Easy choice.