E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBy Erin Sykes
NBC News
A big reason for the alarming rise in whooping cough cases across the country is because too few adults are getting their pertussis booster shots, doctors say. But that's not the only vaccine that grown-ups are unaware they need -- nearly half of the adults in the U.S. don't know which shots the government recommends for their age group, according to a new survey by Walgreens.
For example, at least 1 million older adults a year in the U.S. get shingles, an extremely painful skin rash, yet fewer than 10 percent of people over 60 -- the recommended age for the shot -- have been vaccinated against it, research indicates.
The low vaccination rate for grown-ups is a serious problem, because more than 40,000 adults die each year from vaccine-preventable illnesses, government research shows.
Nearly half of adults in the U.S. are unaware of government-recommended vaccines for their age group, according to a new survey by Walgreens, and government research shows more than 40,000 adults die each year from vaccine-preventable illnesses. NBC's Erika Edwards reports.
The recommended immunizations for adults (over age 18) include:
Influenza -- all adults, every year
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (TdTdap) -- booster vaccine every 10 years
Zoster (Shingles) -- age 60 and over, 1 dose
Pneumonia -- over 65, 1 dose
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Have you gotten the vaccines you need? Tell us on Facebook
Related stories:
Leave a Comment:
Shingles vaccine recommendation age is WAY too late at 60 years.
I got shingles at 49. It's very nasty. Not just the immediate effects; but the nerve damage and hypersensitivity really never completely disappates.
One of my co-workers came down with shingles last month. She has suffered horribly. She's just early 60s. The CDC has lowered the recommended age to 50, but one can lobby for the vaccine at an earlier age. I'm sorry you had it. I know how terrible it is. Please take care.
I don't know about the whole country, but our health departments in Ohio carry most vaccines, including the zoster/shingles vaccine. I think it's about $175 per dose--somewhat expensive, but worth it. My insurance paid for mine. Those interested can check with their insurers to see what coverage is available for all vaccines. Most are covered in your plans.
My mother came down with shingles at 79. Thankfully when she complained of a rash and itching I determined it was shingles and got her to our doctor for the start of antiviral therapy. Even after the main stage was complete she had hypersensitivity and nerve pain. One of my aunts didn't know what it was so never went to the doctor until much later and had horrible nerve pain that has never abated.
I asked my own doctor a couple of years ago if I could get the vaccine for shingles but he told me that I'd have to wait until I was 60 at that time. I will ask again at my next visit and see if he's heard the CDC has lowered the recommended age to 50.
The need for a shingles vaccine is caused b the chicken pox vaccine. No natural boosters. More people are getting shingles earlier now. Mass vaccination has it's consequences.
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that very successfully treats shingles outbreaks. By taking it both orally and using an L-Lysine cream, it only takes a couple of days to get my dad's outbreaks completely under control. And he's NEVER had a vaccine. According to his doctor, the vaccine only works about 30% of the time...not very good odds.
Exposure to varicella boosts immunity to herpes-zoster: implications for mass vaccination against chickenpox
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X02001809
Mass varicella vaccination is expected to cause a major epidemic of herpes-zoster, affecting more than 50% of those aged 10–44 years at the introduction of vaccination.
Robert-
Then why are the people who are recommended for the shingles virus elderly? Who have been clearly exposed to the chicken pox virus, not vaccine...
Exposure to varicella boosts immunity for herpes-zoster. The natural booster has diminished. Grandpa and granny aren't getting exposed to the natural boosters from little johhny anymore. Therefore shingles cases have increased. But no need to fear. The industry that created the problem has come up with a solution. $hingles vaccine.
Robert- shingles is a resurgence of the chicken pox virus you had as a child.
Additionally, the chicken pox vaccine is less than 20 years old, and most people that get shingles are over 50, so they did not get the vaccine. So how can shingles be caused by the vaccine?
Robert- it's the same virus, it just has a different effect in shingles. And if you haven't had it before, you can catch chicken pox from someone with shingles. So I'm sure they get re-exposed often enough at the senior center to counteract the lack of a re-exposure from sick kids.
The chicken pox vaccine decreases natural boosters for herpes zoster. I cited literature above to explain. The epidemic of shingles was predicted.
So Robert, you think that putting all children through a week of pain, a lifetime of scars (I have many, as do most of my friends), hospitalization, and the risk of death is somehow better than giving the elderly a vaccine?
When you tell people about your tonsillectomy, do you refer to your doctor as "a man with a knife"?
Still not following Robert's logic. I'm 42 and had chickenpox when I was 4 years old. I've already had a slight shingles outbreak once. It has nothing to do with the younger children getting vaccinated. It has to do with ME having the virus in my body already because I was exposed to chickenpox as a child. If you get the chickenpox vaccines and never get the chickenpox, you will never have the virus in you to give you the shingles. So to me it looks like the vaccines for children are going to prevent them from having shingles when they are older, which is a good thing.
Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated strain. There is no evidence that getting the vaccine will prevent you from getting shingles.
Did you not read the scientific article that I posted or did you not understand it?
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X02001809
We present data to confirm that exposure to varicella boosts immunity to herpes-zoster. We show that exposure to varicella is greater in adults living with children and that this exposure is highly protective against zoster
Mass varicella vaccination is expected to cause a major epidemic of herpes-zoster, affecting more than 50% of those aged 10–44 years at the introduction of vaccination.
The wild chickenpox virus in the community acts as booster for herpes zoster. Wild measles virus does the same thing for people who've already had measles. This is one of the reasons why a natural infection to measles conferred lifelong immunity. The vaccine doesn't last as long. Hence you have to get booster once public health pharmaceutical employees figure out that their product failed.
Don't forget to get your tetanus shot either. You just never know and might as well be protected. Regarding shingles shot, am still debating, I had a friend who got it and then came down with shingles. Geez, that was really annoying. Have had exposure to chicken box over a period of 25 years in addition to having it myself as a child. Hopefully, all will be well.
Tetanus? What's the chance of getting tetanus?
geeze, Robert, the risk of getting tetanus is present any time you have any kind of break in the skin but in particular from a cut or puncture. tetanus is virulent in the soil everywhere and can be present on surfaces where one would never expect to think of 'soil', and once it has set in is notoriously difficult to treat- a 4-6 week stay in intensive care with tracheostomy and a vent is the minimum
and since I think you neglected to learn the ABC's of varicella before reading 'scientific articles', how about this from good ol' wiki:
in effect, the 'shingles vaccine' is the booster shot that maintains enough body resistance to the varicella virus to prevent a later outbreak in the form of shingles. the above research that you keep quoting but don't seem to really understand is that because the majority of children no longer have active chickenpox infections, the adults aren't getting the natural booster. but this is not 'causing an outbreak of zoster'- it is always all the same herpes virus, called varicella zoster, that can be triggered more than once in a lifetime. (I really think it is your reading of, and a poor choice of words by, that author you quoted that are leading you to an innaccurate conclusion). the idea that children must continue to be exposed to the 'wild' as you say chickenpox virus so that middle aged wimps don't have to get a booster is not real smart, and I fail to make the same conclusion you do, i.e. that it means 'public health pharmaceutical employees failed'. unvaccinated children die or suffer permanent injury from chickenpox every year- it is not a mild illness at any life stage.
No it's generally mild to moderate. It is extremely rare to have complications or die from chicken pox. More on the order of getting hit and dying by lightening strikes.
Tetanus death is rare. Now and before mass vaccination.
Since you are in the teaching mood, do you believe the outbreak of shingles is caused by a lack of shingles vaccine?
nope. I believe it can be prevented by the shingles vaccine. an outbreak of shingles is caused by a childhood case of chickenpox. have you figured out yet that they are the same virus?
Yes. Can you tell us why shingles is increasing with direct correlation to vaccine uptake. Less chicken pox more shingles.
The chickenpox vaccine itself is responsible for this. do you understand why this is?
Influenza -- all adults, every year (CHECK)
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (TdTdap) -- booster vaccine every 10 years (I'VE GOT 3 YRS LEFT ON THIS ONE, CHECK)
Zoster (Shingles) -- age 60 and over, 1 dose (CDC NOW SAYS 50 IS A GOOD STARTING POINT, BUT CHECK)
Pneumonia -- over 65, 1 dose (I ARGUED FOR THIS ONE, AND GOT IT--I'M JUST LATE 50S BUT HAD PNEUMONIA THIS WINTER, CHECK)
(Sorry for the caps, but it should be shouted!)
I got very, very sick this past winter. I swore I would not catch anything again that I could avoid with an immunization. I was pleasantly surprised that I was up-to-date on almost all of mine. I lobbied for and got the shingles vaccine, same for pneumonia. I'll need a pneumonia booster in five years, but that's okay, I don't want it again, EVER. In the long run, they are all worth it.
Why risk these horrible plagues? Of course, there's that 1/100 of one percent chance that something could go wrong, but so what? I'll take that chance. It's better than the pneumonia that nearly killed me. (I did all the right things, too; but I still came down with it.)
I know some don't "believe" in vaccines, but I think they are being very foolish. They put themselves and others at risk for their refusals. Personally, I want to be as healthy as I can be, for as long as I can be. I've had all my (available) vaccines and boosters since they were invented. I have absolutely no regrets. i would wish the same for everyone.
(And please, don't start with that bogus study citing vaccines and autism. It is bogus, it's proven bogus, and it was admitted by the perpetrator as being bogus. If you buy it, you may as well buy up the sand on the beach for a penny a grain, as a fool and his money are soon parted.)
zapper, "It is bogus, its proven bogus, and it was admitted......." And now you know what causes Autism? Well I can trash my forty years of Immune work, cause you have it solved! PLEASE!
No, I don't know what causes autism. But I know it's not the bogus vaccine study that was hyped twenty years ago. You should know that if you've been doing the work for 40 years. My grandson is autistic, and it wasn't the vaccines that caused it. We can PROVE that one. I've done my homework on this one. BTW, immune work is related to autism how?
The last autism "studies" I read were on the dynamics of the neuron process and connections during the second trimester of pregnancy. Is that all there is?--Undoubtedly NO; but, it has a much more valid connection than something that someone invented out of thin air and passed off as research.
Zapper, you are quite right, so just ignore the rather badly named Knowitall. Wakefield faked the MMR vaccine causes autism claim. What KnowNothing means about immune studies I've no idea [and I've been an immunologist since 1972].
What is shocking about the Wakefield scandal was that he had to fake all the data. With only a subset of 8 patients, he should have found a small numbers outlier within some subset. (And there wasn't even one in his faked data. The bottom line is that you have to know more statistics to successfully fake data than to use real data very selectively as the drug companies do.
We may not know what causes autism, but we know one thing that doesn't --- childhood vaccines. They has been studied to death, draining finite research dollars from potentially fruitful lines of inquiry.
Specifically what do you think he faked? It's apparent you are repeating thing you don't know about.
One vaccine has ever been studied. One ingredient has been studied. No randomized controlled trials the gold scientific standard. A million bad studies does not science or truth make.
Science cannot make the claim you just did. It cannot give you certainty.
zapper- I'm up to date on mine too. Got my 10 yr booster updated before we started trying for kids, so I'm down to a couple years left on that one- I'll have to check :)
GREAT NEWS!!!!!! MSNBC just posted another cracker jack article about Autism!
I get whatever vaccines and boosters my doctors office tells me I am due for.
Are people not getting them by choice or are their doctors offices not telling them they are due? That could account for some lower numbers. But then if you don`t have a "regular" doctor then it is unlikely anyone is keeping track of your vaccines to start with. And with all the turmoil in health insurance and medical care in general there are fewer and fewer people with "regular" doctors.
Then too I bet it is more than likely few people carry their childhood records of vaccination over into adulthood.
I'm 55 and haven't had a vaccine since I was in high school. Totally unnecessary if you take care of yourself in other ways. My immune system kicks butt and takes names.
Not to mention the fact that my group policy doesn't cover adult vaccinations. I'd like to get the shingles vaccine, but the cheapest I found it is about $275.
You have a Walgreens in your neighborhood?If you really have to get the vaccine, even though I'm no fan of vaccines, as you can see by the bottom post,I do know this much,they're giving shingles shots for 219 bucks.If you have one close by try there!
I had chicken pox in 6th grade and I remember the misery as it was yesterday and I'm in my 40's. I fully vaxed my two children, although, I was in tears after the MMR vaccine because it worried me so much, I made myself sick over it, but this was before the claims to the MMR vaccine were proven bogus.
That said, many people are not vaccinating their babies for pertussis (and others) for fear of what the vaccines will do to them, so my doctor recommended a pertussis/tetanus combo vaccine called Boostrix (I was due for my tetanus anyways). Adults weren't having to get boosters because before the autism/vaccine scare started, people were vaccinating their children. Because an adult's immunity wanes over the years, it's distinctly possible to get it as an adult now that vaccinating rates have gone down. I got this in September, and had no side effects from it at all, and I hope it works... I have little kids to take care of and I hear this is awful to get as an adult.
I have asked my doctor at Kaiser about 3 or 4 times for the Shingles vaccine and am 60 and had a terrible case of Chicken Pox when I was little, which is an indicator for Shingles and I still can't even get an answer from them. I have medical coverage from working and earning it and chose them and this isn't what I call coverage. For the record! One of my coworkers got it and she is a lot younger than me -- she developed it just months before the vaccine came out.
A friend of ours had shingles and she said it was the absolute worst experience of her life.
If you have ever had chicken pox do whatever you can to get your shingles shot. My husband has had his; I'm trying to get mine covered by insurance. Just a tad bit too young, supposedly.
There should be nobody who has had chicken pox saying "no" to the shingles vaccine--that is an illness with long-reaching, painful effects that can destroy your life. And I do hope they drop the age to 50. It's absurd not to start providing this kind of prevention until 60.
I go to the V.A. for my medical care (USN vet) and learned that the doctors there won't give Gardasil after the age of 29 to prevent cervical cancer (as if the HPV virus and its potential for causing cancer doesn't exist for people after the age of 30? Then why are women told to have pap smears throughout their entire lives?). We're told all our lives to protect ourselves in whatever ways we can, and yet when medical science offers us the chance, it's the medical community that sets odd guidelines for us to follow based on their own discretion.
Because most people have already had HPV and cleared it from their bodies before the age of 30 thereby making the vaccine useless and a waste of resources
Not quite. It isn't that you've "cleared it" since you can't. HPV, like herpes, never goes away. The problem is that once you have it, the vaccine can't stop you from getting it. The reason you need to vaccinate against HPV early is because you need to get them before you contract it.
Hence the reason that I'd like to get the shot--I've abstained my whole life (for personal reasons which do not need to be address here). At such time as I wish to have sex, I would also wish to be protected from cancer as best as possible. Gardacil is not a miracle drug and can't stop cancer "dead in its tracks--it's not RAID, for crying out loud--but it is a measure of protection that I would somehow like to obtain prior to becoming sexually active.
I am under 60 and got the shingles vaccine this year. When I was in college a friend got shingles and said it was extremely painful, and one of my coworkers got it in her 40s, and gets recurrent outbreaks. I'd rather have the vaccination than take anti-virals.
I've also had the tDap booster and get a flu shot every year. Life is too short to be sick.
This works out just fine... the adults who don't believe in vaccinations are EXACTLY the people who shouldn't be getting them.
For quite obvious reasons.
This article is pure PROPAGANDA...
YES SHEEP... baaaaa... go get your shots...
get autism... and lots of other wacky problems...
The GOVERMENTS says it is healthy...
"YES MASTER"
Calm down jonnyboy, nobody wants you to get vaccinated. The sooner you get sick and check out, the better for the human race.
Now go watch TV.
Jonathan-1728701
You do realize that autism is a childhood disorder? Maybe you would feel better getting a shot of whiskey.
I expected these comments... because you think that ignorance is bliss... but ignorance is killing you.
You guys are always fine and have everything figured out until something horrible happens in your life that brings your personal Matrix crashing down...
"The TRUTH will set you free..." Jesus
look at the evidence and then go where it points to... SIMPLE...
onathan-1728701
Autism sets in under the age of TEN. Shingles shots are recommended for those 50 and over. There is a small correlation between older parents and autism. That link existed BEFORE shingles shots.
We are not going to force you to get your shots. Nor are we going to ask you to have children. Simple.
The Vaccine Companies don't have enough customers with sticking it to the kids.Now they decide on new set of victims, Adults! Hell why not they're the ones with all the insurances, to pay for this CRAP!So let's use paranoia and scare tactics.Those will work for all the Gullible Suckers in this Country!
Here's a message to the Vaccine Companies aka Drug Companies, take your vaccines and shove them up your ASS! Vaccines are bad for your HEALTH!
Oh and all you suckers please don't bother to respond,cause ya can 't fix stupid! Meaning you not me!I also don't have the time to argue.
Gee Gloria, we sure wouldn't want people to get vaccinated. They might actually get sick less often...
Grow up Toasty!I like most of your comments,but in this case,you are naive! Classic Example,22 Vets at the VA facility here in my state,contacted influenza.They were all vacinated.Guess what happened? They all got the flu and wound up in the hospital.
The head honchos did damage control and said that the vaccine protected them, and the flu would of been worse with out the shots.Really? Then how the hell did they wind up in the hospital?This just happened last week.There's probably other cases around the state,only they haven't been reported.
Explain that one please?
This is crap. What is the source for these numbers. Most likely its influenza and pneumonia numbers. That vaccine has been shown to be almost worthless in this population. It's a faith based vaccine not a results producer.
Vaccine preventable disease (VPD) is a propaganda word and really should be scrutinized when used. It implies that if a vaccine was used then the death wouldn't have happened.
Now, fierce warriors of the vaccine cult, time for your shots. Remember that time you ridiculed / confronted/ accosted that persons for their belief on vaccines? Better get your hypocritical ass to the clinic before anyone finds out you don't practice what you preach. What? You didn't know you needed new vaccines and boosters your entire life? Tell me this. Who would make a product you only have to buy once? What amazes me is that there are people who refuse to be injected with drugs. Time to end the drug war. It's working too well.
A certain percentage of people are coming to realize that the same establishment who makes these recommendations, is responsible for MRSA and other antibiotic resistant bugs. They consistently lean towards more treatment as the answer to everything. The simple fact is that if there were no illnesses, they would be out of a job. Personally, I haven't had a vaccination in 35 years and rarely get sick. I'm not saying that medicine doesn't provide necessary services, just that more treatment isn't always the best answer. Those who are never exposed to germs will never develop a natural resistance to them. Unless long term population reduction is the real goal.
That's a serious tinfoil hat you have on there.
My physician wants my husband and I to get the Shingles vaccine. But he doesn't have the it. He recommended a local drug store. Evidently they all have it. But won't take my medical insurance. I'm not on social security and do have Medicare. I'm one of the over 65ers who still work and have private insurance. Very good private insurance. It's over $100.00 each. So I have to put the money out and get what I can back from my insurance. This isn't the first time I've run into this. No audiology group in the area will take the money my insurance will pay toward hearing aids. I have to pay up front and get it back. That means I have to come up with an extra $1,000. I'm concerned this is just the beginning of the eroding of have private insurance.
I'm concerned this is just the beginning of the eroding of have private insurance.
No, that began a while back. I'm in the same situation you are.
Ive never had a vaccine, never will. I was lucky enough to have parents that didnt subject me to them. Thank you mom and dad! I will NEVER get a vaccine. Not going to happen.
I'll risk it.
Good for you! It's so easy to get sucked into the Big Pharma machine...you're very lucky your parents took a stand. Haven't been vaccinated for almost 40 years and I'm way healthier than most of my peers.
Looks like someone wants to expand their business. I wouldn't blame them. After vaccines troubling record in children, I'd try to find some other lab rats.
Just ask Jon Poling.
What's the troubling record, exactly? Vast reductions in hospitalizations for Measles, Mumps, and Whooping Cough? Fewer permanent paralysis cases from polio?
Try asking the parents of children who regressed cognitively after vaccination injury. The government paid Hannah Poling's family for her injuries but we don't get to see the details of her case. I wonder why?
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/rise-paralysis-cases-after-polio-vaccine-234
Rise in paralysis cases after polio vaccine
Similar to what happened in the U.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutter_Laboratories
Hey Robert! Good to see you keeping up the good fight. Interesting points about the connection between the chicken pox and the spike in shingles.
Thanks!
Hey Mike_Pescatore, the real Mike Pescatore deleted his NV account. He would appreciate it if you would not post comments using his name. Unless of course, your real name is Mike Pescatore as well. That is all my friend.
I don't know who the "real" Mike Pescatore is. I'm Mike Pescatore. Guess I don't understand what you're trying to say.
Robert 112...you're correct about the dangers of the varicella vaccine. One thing on my mind is when these kids who are getting the vaccine reach age 25 and don't have the insurance to get their booster, will they be skipping it in order to pay their rent, and thereby putting themselves and the rest of society at greater risk for a chicken pox outbreak? Once they are adults, the disease is much more dangerous. From the research I've done, this is a vaccine that is going to come back and bite us in the ass!
From the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide (online):
"Merck is charging about $150 for the one-shot [shingles] vaccine. Doctors and hospitals charge a mark-up, so the total bill can come close to $300."
And now we know why few seniors or middle-agers are getting the shingles vaccine.
[IRONY ALERT]: Perhaps we can find someone locally to pay for them... My neighbor? Uhmm... no. A local church?... Huhmm... no, not them either. A local charity? No, "we don't cover that sort of thing." Maybe a passerby?
This is why we need Single Payer Universal Health Care. It's all very well and good to say that seniors, the poor and the disabled should be cared for locally, "like in the old days", but in the old days, seniors starved or froze to death, poor people died of preventable diseases and the disabled didn't live to adulthood unless their families were wealthy.
Bull@!$%#. We don't mark up our vaccines. We charge for administration, something like ten or fifteen bucks, and the cost of what it costs us to buy the drug. That article is kind of talking out of its ass. However, I wholeheartedly agree with your Single Payer Universal Health Care.
RackNStack, Might want to look at that Polio thing again! The AMA was on the front lines with their hand out! And while you are at it you might want to look at the "who was right after all" debate!
Do you believe that pharma vaccines are a loss taker? This has been debunked. Sorry! Maybe pharma used to lose money on vaccines before liability immunity. But this simply isn't true anymore. Pharma is smart they just don't lose money for no reason. They aren't the most profitable industry in the world for no reason. If you believe that then you are a naive employ.
I always have a small percentage of people that refuse vaccinations. I love it, because I've actually never seen a case of whooping cough, or adult measles. I'm anxiously awaiting my first case so I can break open my old textbooks to read about how to treat it.
RacknStack: I have seen B.Pertussis only once in my career, a 4-month-old male who had not received any immunizations. No real cough, but the runny nose with this kid was unreal! He required sedation and intubation since his breathing was so hampered by the thick nasal secretions. We used the available macrolide at the time, erythromycin. The baby eventually recovered, but he could have died. A simple vaccine series would have kept this child from contracting the disease.
While I do not believe that all vaccines are bad however, I do believe that people need to pay more attention in the care for their bodies, the food they eat, and personal hygiene. I used to be a skeptic about the "organic" movement and how much better it was for you, but my experience with it in the last year and a half and my research on natural remedies have changed my mind. I did a little bit of research on what caused the infamous "Black Death" plague only to find that famine was strong before the disease hit (malnourishment). I have also looked into the Gerson Therapy which was started by Max Gerson from Germany and is continued today by his daughter in the states. So how does this tie into vaccines? I believe part of the problem is what we are eating. So much of our food is tainted and even the mainstream produce at the grocery stores is sick in the fact that it will not provide you with 100% of the nutrients that it should be giving you. It is not in the fact that we need every available vaccine, but I believe it is the fact of what lifestyle choices we make. The Gerson Therapy (which uses fresh organic juice and vegetables along with a organic coffee enema) has cured cancer and other ailments such as diabetes (there is a documentary about it and they also mention it in food matters). We are sick! We are polluted every day with all kinds of chemicals including the carcinogens that are used in some things such as coffee. What do you think this does to the body especially our immune system? Like I said I do not disagree with all the vaccines such as the anthrax shot (which was mandatory for my husband as he is in the service), but we rely too much on modern medicine today instead of looking at what was given to us by god, mother nature, the earth, or whatever you want to call it.
Vaccines are no longer hmm clean what with them having mercury and aluminum etc in them these days. Since when did mercury in the human body become safe? NOT! Influeza vaccine, laugh how do you vacinate for a disease that changes every year and has multiple strains and the vaccine only covers a few and if those dont happen to be the strains that come around then you are not protected at all, just had your good old shot of mercury other toxins they put in vaccines these days. The Dr's office asked me about flu and other vaccines everytime i went in until I read the insert(comes with the shot) and told the Dr no i dont need a vaccine with mercury in it. The Dr said there was not mercury in vaccines that it was a scare tactic until i showed him the insert where it stated mercury aluminum etc were in the vaccine, He had nothing further to say about me getting a vaccine at that point. I remember the swine flu shot back in 1976 i was in the military and it was mandatory, i got the shot and in hours i was in the hospital and was there for two weeks because it gave me the flu and came close to killing me.
KEEP RELIGION OUT OF GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES!
Part of the reason that I don't get the vaccines is that my insurance doesn't cover them. My doctor wanted me to get the shingles vaccine but I was told that it would cost me $200. I would think that the whooping cough vaccine would cost about the same amount.
I had the TDap vaccine once and had such a horrible allergic reaction that I can never get it again. As for the flu vaccine, I have never gotten the vaccine nor have I ever gotten the flu. I doubt I will ever get the flu vaccine. Of course if I ever end up getting the flu, I may change my mind.
Even though I have a mild heart condition, I will still NOT get the flu vaccine. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which is the most common congenital heart defect. Yes, in the past year or so, colds have hit me harder than my friends, but I still have not gotten the flu, despite being exposed to it. I've never had influenza. As a child, I had some nasty stomach viruses that, again, would tend to hit me hard and fast, but I would be better in a couple of days.
I support some vaccinations, but not all. The flu vaccination really doesn't have the numbers behind it to support it-they have even done studies that tend to get 'hushed up' about how it really doesn't work in the groups that 'need' it, such as the elderly.
Just so you know, you CAN, very easily, get a virus or bacteria that you have been immunized against. My sister, myself, and numerous other neighbourhood children ALL came down with whooping cough in 1994, despite being properly vaccinated at the time. I was 4 years old, so I had received all of my standard shots, and was a little less than a year away from my kindergarten 'booster' shot. I still came down with a decently severe case of whooping cough...on my family's vacation across the country. And, because doctors at the clinic didn't believe that if you were vaccinated you could get whooping cough, they didn't even give me the correct antibiotics! We came back to our home city after enduring my whooping cough only to have my sister get sick, my parents took her to our family doctor who said that she had whooping cough, that I most definitely was recovering from it, and that there had been numerous reported cases around the city, especially in our area...amongst vaccinated children.
Were we somewhat protected? Perhaps the vaccination lessened things, but we will never know. I don't have children at this point, but I can say that there will be some vaccinations that they receive and some that they do not, such as hepatitis B as a newborn. I'm sorry, but the only way a newborn would receive hepatitis B is through fetal-maternal transmission during birth. I'll even get a blood test to confirm that I am free of the disease, but there is no way that I am subjecting a 5 or 6 pound newborn to the same dosage as a 250pound male receives. That just is NOT safe!