Flu Shot

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Monday, November 8. 2010

Had a routine mini-check up with my Doc this morning. My BP is now normal, with medicine. He invited me to have a flu shot before I left. I asked him if they really worked, as I had recently read that they do not.

He said "They probably work a little for the people who don't need them, and don't work for the people who do need them. They're free from the government, so have one if you want."

Free from the government? I got one.

Posted by The Barrister at 13:11 | Comments (19) | Trackbacks (0)

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--i'm a little taken aback by the large percentage of health-care professionals who adamently refuse them. Or is this an urban legend? At least some of it is true, if you believe the news reports from NYC during the late H1N1 semi-panic.

#1 buddy larsen on 2010-11-08 13:21 (Reply)

Yes, buddy - it's true. NY state tried to mandate H1N1 vaccinations as a condition of employment during last year's pandemic and they had to back away from it because health care workers just would not do it. Next time someone leans in close to you to draw a blood sample from you or to check your blood pressure, ask hem if they got a flu shot.

#1.1 Suzette (Link) on 2010-11-09 07:12 (Reply)

Thanks, Suzette.

Not to open a can o' worms, but one wonders how one close to the referenced cohort would characterize the general thrust of their reasoning.

#1.1.1 buddy larsen on 2010-11-09 08:56 (Reply)

Don't know if this is relevant to your situation, but, my dad has been monitoring his blood pressure for years and when it goes up he ups his exercise, and it goes down.

At 82 he's constantly on guard for his health.

#2 LP on 2010-11-08 13:22 (Reply)

If it's free from the government; it's stole and poisonous.

#3 Leag on 2010-11-08 13:34 (Reply)

Not only is it stolen and poisonous as leag wrote, but it ain't free, it costs 18 times what it ought to.

#4 Fred Z on 2010-11-08 13:45 (Reply)

There is NO SUCH THING AS FREE FROM THE GOVERNMENT!!!

#5 Bob Devine on 2010-11-08 13:55 (Reply)

I agree! We all just paid! A thank you would be in order Barrister.

#5.1 Ratso on 2010-11-08 17:50 (Reply)

Way to go, Barrister! You're the reason we're having $1T+ deficits!

#6 mudbug on 2010-11-08 13:59 (Reply)

It's called "irony," Readers.

#7 The B on 2010-11-08 14:05 (Reply)

Irony? Were you wearing a flatbrim 'gimme' cap and drinking a PBR? Because without ironic accoutrement, it's not irony. And then you're no hipster.

#7.1 Cato the Elder on 2010-11-08 18:10 (Reply)

"Free from the government"

A thinking, reality-based, progressive citizen would have gotten two. And then sent all his friends and family for more.

Expecting you to be concerned about the enhancing the nurturing nature of our society would be a stretch, though, wouldn't it.

#8 Knucklehead (Link) on 2010-11-08 14:18 (Reply)

My neighbor had high blood pressure last year. His doc order him to eat a bowl of oatmeal at least four times a week and it's now around 140-145/90 -- a huge change.

No pills.

#9 jma on 2010-11-08 14:45 (Reply)

doc told me to get the BP down by quitting cigarets and taking up the oatmeal. problem i'm having is keeping the oatmeal lit. it smolders okay but only with a propane torch, which isn't exactly a relaxing smoke.

#9.1 buddy larsen on 2010-11-08 20:48 (Reply)

"Eat," buddy. "Eat" is the operative word.

#9.1.1 jma on 2010-11-08 21:25 (Reply)

...ahhh....that would explain it ...

#9.1.1.1 buddy larsen on 2010-11-08 22:57 (Reply)

Your doctor is under the impression that last year's government initiative that provided no-cost vaccine for H1N1 is still in effect and covers this year's seasonal flu vaccine. Either he gave you the wrong/expired vaccine or he is going to get a surprise when he reconciles his accounts at the end of the month.

#10 Cripes Suzette (Link) on 2010-11-08 15:54 (Reply)

Well, not to be contrarian, but since I've been getting flu shots, I have not been sick over winter. And the Mrs., who worked with kids and was exposed to every single communicable influenza and cold there is, hasn't been sick since she started getting them.

Psychological? Maybe. Mind over matter? Perhaps.

All I know is that I've not been sick over winter in many years, not even a cold, and I appreciate that - whether its effective or not.

#11 Tom Francis on 2010-11-08 18:26 (Reply)

I should qualify what I said. I have a suppressed immune disorder - well, two of them actually - and flu shots are indicated.

From what I understand, a flu shot for ordinary everyday healthy folks probably isn't necessary as you can't target every single flu virus there is out there and the virus can mutate on a dime making the vaccine useless.

However, for folks like me, its a good idea because boosted immunities are better than no immunities.

With respect to health care professionals, and professionals like the Mrs., my thought is that the constant exposure helps create a kind of immunity anyway.

#11.1 Tom Francis on 2010-11-08 18:37 (Reply)

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Monday, November 8. 2010

Flu Shot