Flu shot, or not?

[Kitsune]

I just attended a security seminar here last week that detailed out some business continuity/disaster recovery plans in their bird flu presentation. (yeah, they're still worried about that strain, it seems) One thing they suggested: since H5N1 cannot yet be vaccinated against, getting the flu shot every year will help you in the event of a pandemic. The logic is that if you get the shot but contract the flu, then you know what strain you likely have and should get help as quickly as possible with the early symptoms. The earlier, the better.

Of course, the presenter also told us that we all needed to be prepared for bird flu in order to survive it. That came out to enough food, water purification, Tamiflu (we're supposed to beg our doctors for prescriptions so we can stockpile it), surgical masks (3 masks per day, per person), latex gloves, and other supplies to last 12 weeks for just one of many waves of the disease. So, that could just be some odd paranoia...