Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorilla4Sale
I always pass on the flu vaccination, never noticed any difference between years when I got it, and years I didn't. I thought that the flu mutates so much that the vaccine usually is behind the curve and not really that effective anyway. I could be making that up though.
According to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_vaccine, you should expect around a 65-75% success rate from taking the vaccine as a healthy adult male. Given that side effects are fairly rare, it might be worth it - but only 5-15% get influenza on average each year (
http://www.globalsecurity.org/securi...mic-deaths.htm). So assuming a 10% chance on average, taking the shot you're left with a 2.5-3.33% chance of contracting the flu instead.
Probably not a big deal either way since the impact of taking/not taking the shot is so low. This obv doesn't apply to special populations. Such as myself, I might have to go to the hospital if I get the actual flu due to my asthma.