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Seasonal Flu Shots Double Risk of Getting Swine Flu, Says New Study
krou writes "A Canadian study currently under peer review apparently suggests that individuals given seasonal flu shots are twice as likely to get swine flu. The 'perplexing' study has thrown influenza health plans into disarray, with Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia all suspending seasonal flu shots for anyone under 65 years of age. The study appears to be confined to Canada; the US, Britain, and Australia have not reported the same problem, so some are suggesting that the research has 'study bias.' However, the research appears to be 'solid' according to Dr. Ethan Rubinstein, head of adult infectious diseases at the University of Manitoba. 'There are a large number of authors, all of them excellent and credible researchers. And the sample size is very large — 12 or 13 million people taken from the central reporting systems in three provinces.''
Except, most areas I have been push the flu shot for everyone, not just the weakened. I'de much prefer they phrase it in such a way as - If you have a weak immune system, get this shot. Instead, it seems it's presented as a way to prevent a mass outbreak.
Here's the thing dude. If you get the flu, you will probably live since you sound like you think you are young and have a healthy immune system.
But when you are walking around sick and infectious for a few days, you stand the chance of infecting some people who have weakened immune systems... like your elderly grandmother, or your mother, or your old neighbor. So you're really protecting them by getting the shot.
They push flu shots for the whole population to reduce the spread of the flu. Unfortunately, it usually spreads anyway because (1) they don't always predict what virus will become the flu and (2) tough guys like you aren't selfless enough to suck it up for the less well off.
I'm sure it is because you all believe strongly in natural selection. I just hope that everyone you love always has a strong immune system come flu season... and that you survive the swine flu without your shot.