Flu shot, or not?

[monster]

Originally Posted by beauregaardhooligan

From what I understand, the *flu* shot is just for the particular strain that *they* think will be most virulent in any particular year.
The shot you got last year may not be the shot you get this year.
I just wonder how you can tell if it really works or not.
Also, has there ever been any bad re-actions / allergic reactions to the shot?

It's several different strains each year, but yes. The thing is, how accurate is the model used to predict the strains? One school of thought in the biz suggests that the currently favoured model is flawed because it predicts speed of spread without taking into acount the increease in intercontinental travel, and as a result is a few years out of date. Right strains, but too late.

Define bad reaction? some kids don't take shots well. One of mine does, one is indifferent, and I'd suggest the last has a bad reactiion. not a medical, but an emotional reaction. Extreme enough to make me question one more time the necessity of each shot. Which is no bad thing IMO.