Flu Shot

For many years I paid no attention to flu shots, they were not on my radar. About the age of 65 I was made aware that it might be a good practice to get a flu shot, can't remember who influenced me, maybe Pat. Since then I have been getting a flu shot. One year there was a shortage because a bureaucrat, in his wisdom, closed two of the three manufacturers of flu shots. The reason for closing: the two manufacturers had raised their prices higher than the bureaucrat thought proper. The scarcity gave me the impetus to get a flu shot that year. (Get it while the getting is good.) A few years ago Lori had a terrible reaction from a flu shot. She became mysteriously sick and her doctors could not find out what, or why. One doctor finally doped it all out and traced it to her flu shot. Lori had had an allergic reaction to the eggs used in the vaccine. Lori has not had another flu shot since. These past few years, the "Chicken Littles" in this country have become more and more insistant that all people must have a flu shot. This panic usually comes from people who have no idea how the shot is designed, how trade offs are made, the statistical guesses that go into its composition, or that many in the manufacturing process have their fingers crossed in the hope that everything comes out all right. This year, the final decision was postponed so long that practitioners were clamoring for shots. This produced a rush, rush in the manufacturing area. Did they cut some corners? Did they get it right? Did the vaccine get watered down to "play it safe?" I don't know. This year I intend to do a more intensive study about whether I truly want a flu shot. My immune system is intact, I feel healthy, I have positive outlook on life. Why should I gamble on a flu shot?