Rethinking the Flu Shot – Do You Think the Epidemic is Hype or Real? [POLL]

Last week I made the pronouncement that I wasn’t getting a flu shot.

Reason?

Because I have a pretty strong immune system, and so far, have been able to ward off seasonal maladies like the flu, viruses, and the like.

Besides, when I brought up the topic last week, I’d gotten a variety of opinions, from “I was being selfish and not considering the fact that my wife has a compromised immune system”, to “it’s a conspiracy by ‘big pharma’ to make us all get a flu shot.

Here’s what we’re told…and this is one of many stories out on the subject:

Influenza has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with 7.3 percent of deaths last week caused by pneumonia and the flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

That is above the epidemic threshold of 7.2 percent, CDC said. Nine of the 10 regions of the United States had "elevated" flu activity, confirming that seasonal flu has spread across the country and reached high levels several weeks before the usual time of late January or February.

In addition, two more children have died this past week from flu-associated illnesses, bringing this season’s total to 20, the CDC said.

New York City and 24 states are experiencing high Influenza Like Illnesses activity, and 16 states are reporting moderate ILI activity.

Since 47 states are reporting widespread flu activity, it is still urgent to get vaccinated if you have not yet received the flu shot. Those particularly at risk are children, senior citizens or those with an underlying health condition.

And here’s what’s going down by us…again, just one example of the precautions some are taking.

With the state and nation seeing an uptick in flu cases, the Jersey City Medical Center began restricting visitors yesterday to keep the virus away from patients.

JCMC spokesman Mark Rabson said the Downtown Jersey City hospital is barring anyone under 18 years old and anyone exhibiting flulike symptoms from visiting patients.
“Our goal here is to protect the patients in the hospital,” Rabson said. “We hope the general public understands.”

The policy will continue indefinitely, he said, adding the hospital will let the community know when normal visiting procedures resume.

The state Department of Health and Human Services is reporting “moderate” or “high” levels of flu activity throughout all 21 counties, while Rabson said yesterday that 50 percent of JCMC’s emergency-room cases are diagnosed with flulike symptoms.

So with all that in mind, are you buying it’s all hype, or have you gotten the flu shot…just in case.

In the last few days, I’ve tried, just to hedge my bets…and guess what?

Most places by me are out of it.