Flu Season

[Isgrimnur]

The media coverage has started:

Last year’s flu shot won’t shield you this year: Two new strains of influenza have begun circling the globe, and the updated vaccine appears to work well against them, government officials said Thursday.
...
A yearly vaccination now is recommended for nearly everybody, but new figures released Thursday show that last year 52 percent of children and just 39 percent of adults were immunized.
...
Flu specialists can’t say how bad this winter’s flu season might be. Influenza strains constantly evolve, and some cause more illness than others. But strains from the H3N2 family tend to be harsher than some other flu types, and a new H3N2 strain is included in this year’s vaccine because it is circulating in parts of the world.

Because of that strain, “I am pretty confident that this year will be a more traditional flu season” than last year, CDC’s Jernigan told The Associated Press. “People won’t have had any real exposure to that.”

Only one ingredient in this year’s flu vaccine was retained from last year’s, protection against the H1N1 strain that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic and has been the main kind of influenza circulating since. Also new in this year’s shot is protection against a different Type B strain.

Oh, and the US map at Google Flu finally has an accurate representation of the state of Michigan.

[Smoove_B]

The media coverage has started:

As well they should - now's the time to get the vaccination as it takes ~6 weeks after you're injected to get full protection.

The Google Flu project is awesome.

[Daehawk]

I used to get them in the early 90's then I stopped like around the late 90's and never got another one till a couple years ago. I never got the flu either. But I figure WTH...if the Government wants to put something in me to mutate me or track me they'll find some way. Im sure there more than just your shots. So I get it That didn't sound crazy in the least.

[killbot737]

Wabbit season!

I have to get a flu shot or else I'll get fired. Luckily my employer gives them for free and makes them easily available (they have vaccination days at all the worksites).

[Kraken]

Got mine a few days ago. I don't get the flu often but when I do it really hits me hard, so I do what I can to prevent it.

[Archinerd]

I used to get them in the early 90's then I stopped like around the late 90's and never got another one till a couple years ago. I never got the flu either. But I figure WTH...if the Government wants to put something in me to mutate me or track me they'll find some way. Im sure there more than just your shots. So I get it That didn't sound crazy in the least.

Made me think of this "song" by the Dead Milkmen.

Spoiler:

You know what Stuart? I like you. You're not like the other people here
in the trailer park. Oh no, don't get me wrong, they're fine people, good
Americans. But they're content to sit back, maybe watch a little Mork and
Mindy on channel 57. Maybe kick back a cool Coors 16-ouncer. They're
good fine people, Stuart. But they don't know what the queers are doing
to the soil.

You know that Johnny Werzner kid - the kid who delivers papers in the
neighborhood? He's a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes
crack, but I don't believe it. Anyway, for his 10th birthday, all he
wanted was a burrow owl, just like his old man. "Dad, get me a burrow
owl. I'll never ask for anything else as long as I live". So the guy
breaks down and buys him a burrow owl. Anyway at 10:30 the other night I
go out into my yard and there's the Werzner kid looking up in the tree. I
said, "What are you looking for?" He said, "I'm looking for my burrow
owl." I say, "Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows that a
burrow owl lives in a hole in the ground! Why the hell do you think they
call it a burrow owl, anyway?!" Now Stuart, do you think a kid like that
is gonna know what the queers are doing to the soil?

I first became aware of this, about 10 years ago, the summer my oldest boy
Bill Jr. died. You know that carnival that comes to town every year?
Well this year it came with a ride called the Mixer. The man said "Keep
your head and arms inside the mixer at all times." But Bill Jr., he was a
daredevil, just like his old man. He was leaning out saying, "Hey
everybody! Look at me, look at me!" POW! He was decapitated. They found
his head over by the snowcone concession. A few days after that, I open
up the mail and there's a pamphlet in there, from Pueblo, Colorado. And
it's addressed to Bill Jr. And it's entitled, "Do you know what the
queers are doing to our soil?"

Now Stuart, if you look at the soil around any large U.S. city with a big
underground homosexual population - Des Moines, Iowa, perfect example.
Look at the soil around Des Moines, Stuart. You can't build on it, you
can't grow anything in it. The government says it's due to poor farming.
But I know what's really going on, Stuart. I know it's the queers.
They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay
Martians. I swear to God.

You know what Stuart, I like you. You're not like the other people, here
in the trailer park.

[YellowKing]

I have to get a flu shot or else I'll get fired.

Same here, but that's good because if it was voluntary I'd probably never get one (not because I'm opposed to it, but because I suddenly get lazy when it comes to seeking out people to stick needles in me).

My daughter got hers a few weeks ago and my wife will be getting one through her work, so now we only have to worry about the other 9,999 bugs we can pick up through daycare.

[Trent Steel]

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu.

/shrugs

[ImLawBoy]

I'm a big time convert to flu shots for all. My son can't get one right now, so his best protection against the flu is that everyone around him get a flu shot.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I got the flu several years ago, and it made me feel so awful that death seemed a much more preferable option at the time. I learned my lesson though, so nowadays I go out of my way to get the flu shot every year and have never caught it since. I got the latest vaccine last week, during a routine check-up with my doctor.

[Blackhawk]

I got mine a few weeks ago. I'm trying to get the kids in for theirs now.

[Sudy]

I'll be getting mine. I take public transit and work in a small call center with shared desks.

It didn't save me from getting a strain hardcore two years ago, though. The real deal; the 10-14 day thing. Hopefully they've guessed better this time.

[Shinjin]

Almost 10 years ago my (then) infant son caught the flu from his slightly older cousin. The symptoms did not present themselves (projectile-style!) until we were xmas vacationing at my mother's house in another town. Before we returned home, both I and my wife caught the misery. After we returned home, we learned that my everyone we visited caught it. This included my brother, sister, both parents, a step-parent, and my grandmother who was ~85 at the time. Ever since then we have been die-hard about flu vaccination, especially since learning that our youngest (of three) has an egg allergy and cannot get a flu shot himself.

[RunningMn9]

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu.

/shrugs

+1.

I rely on herd immunity. It's worked so far.

[Odin]

I got my shot a week ago, and I was the last in my family to get it. Bring on da floo!

[Isgrimnur]

Eight employees fired for refusing the shot:

An Indiana hospital has fired eight employees, including at least three veteran nurses, after they refused mandatory flu shots, stirring up controversy over which should come first: employee rights or patient safety. The hospital imposed mandatory vaccines, responding to rising concerns about the spread of influenza.

Ethel Hoover wore all black on her last day of work as a nurse in the critical care unit at Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital. She said she was in "mourning" because she would have been at the hospital 22 years in February, and she's only called out of work four or five times in her whole career, she said.
...
When Hoover first heard about the mandate, she said she didn't realize officials would take it so seriously. She said she filed two medical exemptions, a religious exemption and two appeals, but they were all denied. The Dec. 15 flu shot deadline came and went. Hoover's last day of employment was Dec. 21.
...
The hospital said in a statement that it implemented the mandate to promote patient safety based on recommendations from the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It announced the mandate in September. Of the hospital's 26,000 employees statewide, 95 percent complied. That means 1,300 employees did not comply, but only eight were fired.
...
[Dr. William] Schaffner [chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases] said invalid excuses to avoid the shot include being afraid of needles and simply promising to stay home when they're sick. Patients now have the option of a vaccine nasal spray if they want to avoid needles. And since flu victims become contagious before they start to feel sick, they can get patients sick even if they stay home when they have symptoms.

Over the last several years, hospitals have been moving toward mandatory vaccinations because many only have 60 percent vaccination rates, Schaffner said. He is leading an effort for a similar mandate at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
...
But still, Alan Phillips, who represented several nurses at the hospital, says his clients had the right to refuse their flu shots under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits religious discrimination of employees. Religion is legally broad under the First Amendment, so it could include any strongly held belief, he said, adding that the belief flu shots are bad should suffice.

[Sarkus]

I don't get why some people refuse flu shots. They work pretty well - I've gotten them for the last 10 years or so and it makes winter much, much better. Don't kid yourself - what you think of as a cold is often the flu, so getting the shot helps in that regard as well.

As for hospital employees refusing it, I'm sorry but older people and other folks with compromised immune systems don't need to be getting the flu from the medical staff that is supposed to be helping them.

[Daehawk]

There are many reason folk refuse a flu shot because. I went from sometime in the 90's to the 2000s without one. I got the one in 1995 then went and ate. I got very sick and became dizzy..at the mall. I skipped them for that long after that. Never got sick without them. Figured it was a waste.

I started getting then again around 2008 or maybe later. I have medicare now so figure why not. I do feel mentally as if I am safer for getting it.

[Z-Corn]

At my hospital you can refuse to get the shot but you have to wear a mask for the entire 4 or 5 month flu season. And they STRICTLY monitor those who have refused said shot.

I have no doubt somebody would be fired for frequent violation of the mandate. They take it very seriously...

[Trent Steel]

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu.

/shrugs

+1.

I rely on herd immunity. It's worked so far.

And now the streak is over for both of us thank to your unclean lifestyle.

[Odin]

I'm kind of chuckling at the folks I know who were all "Flu shots are a conspiracy - don't get a flu shot!" and "I once got the flu from a flu shot so now I never get one and I'm always fine." Yeah, they've all got the flu.

I know for a fact that my family has been exposed to the flu over and over and over again in the last couple of months as we've watched people at our dojo drop like flies. If I could give this year's flu shot a high-five, I totally would.

[Lassr]

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu.

/shrugs

that's because you are a big brute!

Ah, I remember those days. Flu would not touch me...then one year it happened; I got the flu and it kicked my ass. I got the flu shot the next year and have ever since.

[Lassr]

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu.

/shrugs

+1.

I rely on herd immunity. It's worked so far.

And now the streak is over for both of us thank to your unclean lifestyle.

Oh, well, I guess you were not as big a brute as I thought you were. Flu sucks, sorry to hear your streak is over.

[LordMortis]

I don't get why some people refuse flu shots. They work pretty well - I've gotten them for the last 10 years or so and it makes winter much, much better. Don't kid yourself - what you think of as a cold is often the flu, so getting the shot helps in that regard as well.

As for hospital employees refusing it, I'm sorry but older people and other folks with compromised immune systems don't need to be getting the flu from the medical staff that is supposed to be helping them.

Coincidence has me ascared. I used to get flu shots because they were often free and convenient. Several times I had light flulike symptoms but they were light and quickly passed. No big deal. Then a few years ago I developed pertussis not long after a trip to the clinic to get a flu shot. No one else around me got it and it lasted for months. It may just be coincidence but I am mentally blocked into believe that clinics are germ breeding grounds where you get take free sample home with you. Add the temporary weakening of your immune system with a flu shot to the mix and you're asking for trouble.

Also coincidentally, I've been cold and flu free ever since refusing the shots. The next time I end up with the flu, I'll probably change my tune again.

[noxiousdog]

I'm kind of chuckling at the folks I know who were all "Flu shots are a conspiracy - don't get a flu shot!" and "I once got the flu from a flu shot so now I never get one and I'm always fine." Yeah, they've all got the flu.

I know for a fact that my family has been exposed to the flu over and over and over again in the last couple of months as we've watched people at our dojo drop like flies. If I could give this year's flu shot a high-five, I totally would.

It cracks me up too. Especially because it's typically the same people believe in Science!.

I thought it was a drug company conspiracy and was of limited value, but it looks like it's fairly (66%) effective. No guarantee, but it's not that difficult to get.

[Odin]

I'm kind of chuckling at the folks I know who were all "Flu shots are a conspiracy - don't get a flu shot!" and "I once got the flu from a flu shot so now I never get one and I'm always fine." Yeah, they've all got the flu.

I know for a fact that my family has been exposed to the flu over and over and over again in the last couple of months as we've watched people at our dojo drop like flies. If I could give this year's flu shot a high-five, I totally would.

It cracks me up too. Especially because it's typically the same people believe in Science!.

I thought it was a drug company conspiracy and was of limited value, but it looks like it's fairly (66%) effective. No guarantee, but it's not that difficult to get.

Absolutely - it's cheap, it doesn't hurt that much, and it dramatically decreases the likelihood that you'll get a nasty illness. My kids even get the nasal spray, which takes the sting out of it completely.

[ImLawBoy]

I'm a big time convert to flu shots for all. My son can't get one right now, so his best protection against the flu is that everyone around him get a flu shot.

My son was eventually able to get his shot, and I got one too. My wife waited too long, and came down with the flu shortly after getting her shot. It takes two weeks or something like that for the immunity to take effect, and her symptoms started days after the shot. We know the shot didn't cause it, because the shot doesn't contain the live virus, so it is simply not possible for a flu shot to cause the flu. She just plain waited too long.

Fortunately for her, she got off pretty easy in terms of symptoms, so it wasn't too bad for us.

[Odin]

I'm a big time convert to flu shots for all. My son can't get one right now, so his best protection against the flu is that everyone around him get a flu shot.

My son was eventually able to get his shot, and I got one too. My wife waited too long, and came down with the flu shortly after getting her shot. It takes two weeks or something like that for the immunity to take effect, and her symptoms started days after the shot. We know the shot didn't cause it, because the shot doesn't contain the live virus, so it is simply not possible for a flu shot to cause the flu. She just plain waited too long.

Fortunately for her, she got off pretty easy in terms of symptoms, so it wasn't too bad for us.

Yeah, 10 days to efficacy, I believe. I remember how hard we fought to try to get shots back during the H1N1 epidemic and how pissed I was when they called us 3 days AFTER my family started coming down with the flu. The first week of November that year ranks among our worst ever as a family, and as influenza goes, it wasn't really all that bad.

[YellowKing]

My hospital just banned children from entering, unless they are patients. "Flu B" is running rampant through our school systems here, so they put this big cartoon kangaroo in front of the entrance doors that says "You must be this tall to enter."


(OK, I was just kidding about the kangaroo, but that would have been pretty awesome).

[Isgrimnur]

An egg-free flu vaccine was approved almost two months ago:

On 20 November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first seasonal flu vaccine made in cell culture, rather than in fertilized chicken eggs.

The vaccine, Flucelvax, is made by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis and was approved by the European Union in 2007 under the name Optaflu.
...
Flucelvax is made in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, a well-known cell line harvested from a female Cocker Spaniel in 1958 and grown in the lab ever since. Flucelvax cells will be grown in a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Holly Spring, North Carolina paid for in part by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

[Fretmute]

Absolutely - it's cheap, it doesn't hurt that much, and it dramatically decreases the likelihood that you'll get a nasty illness.

Here at work, they give them for free in the break areas every fall. There's really no reason to avoid getting one.

[LawBeefaroni]

At my hospital you can refuse to get the shot but you have to wear a mask for the entire 4 or 5 month flu season. And they STRICTLY monitor those who have refused said shot.

I have no doubt somebody would be fired for frequent violation of the mandate. They take it very seriously...

Same here. They offer the mask "option" but pretty sure they're shooting for 100% shot compliance. It's way too onerous in most jobs.

They used to be soft on non-clinical areas (like mine) but now everyone gets the shot.

[coopasonic]

Absolutely - it's cheap, it doesn't hurt that much, and it dramatically decreases the likelihood that you'll get a nasty illness.

Here at work, they give them for free in the break areas every fall. There's really no reason to avoid getting one.

We have to go to the cafeteria... in another building!

[naednek]

Ethan seems to have the flu, and now my mom. Let the fun time begins

[redrun]

At my hospital you can refuse to get the shot but you have to wear a mask for the entire 4 or 5 month flu season. And they STRICTLY monitor those who have refused said shot.

I have no doubt somebody would be fired for frequent violation of the mandate. They take it very seriously...

Exactly the same policy here (same state as Z-Corn, different hospital). TPTB are currently pretty easy about giving an exception from the shot/spray, but strongly enforce the masks - I suspect in a few years they'll push a lot harder on the shots/spray.

[soulbringer]

Yep the flu season is rampant. We have had at least 3-4 patients each day for the past 2 months on my unit with the flu or flu like symptoms. Unfortunately, Im one of the lucky sob's who get to wear a mask at work all the time, not to mention my hands are getting raw from all the handwashing and scrubbing I do to keep it off me. Ive had severe reactions to the flu shot 3 years in a row that laid me up in bed for at least 10 days each time. Ive tried the flumist last year and while not as severe I was ill for about 5-6 days after receiving it. So now Im relegated to the damn mask unless I want to suffer for a week. Let me tell you that 12 hours of wearing that thing sucks. Im gonna give the flumist another go next year and see what happens hopefully it will work without making me too sick.

[Isgrimnur]

You might try the puppy version if it's available in your area.

[Kraken]

Mayor of Boston declared a health emergency today. There have been 700 diagnosed cases and 7 deaths in the city so far, vs. 70 cases at this time last year. Free vaccinations for everyone, and some local hospitals have banned children from visiting (because children are the main disease vector).

[Jag]

Ethan seems to have the flu, and now my mom. Let the fun time begins

Ugh. Best of luck to you

[Shinjin]

An egg-free flu vaccine was approved almost two months ago:

On 20 November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first seasonal flu vaccine made in cell culture, rather than in fertilized chicken eggs.

The vaccine, Flucelvax, is made by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis and was approved by the European Union in 2007 under the name Optaflu.
...
Flucelvax is made in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, a well-known cell line harvested from a female Cocker Spaniel in 1958 and grown in the lab ever since. Flucelvax cells will be grown in a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Holly Spring, North Carolina paid for in part by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Awesome - thanks for posting this!