6 ms·

They raise your antibody serum levels so you are better able to fight live virus.

Swizec 12y ago
Yes I understand how vaccines work. But it just doesn't seem like seasonal flu ever gets in contact with me. At worst I will get a mild seasonal cold[1], which isn't problematic at all. And I don't seem to get sick even when I make out with people suffering from a cold (like my girlfriend). Maybe I just have an abnormally strong immune system? And while you could make a point of herd immunity, flu shots aren't very popular where I'm from. I only know of one person who's ever gotten one. The others either aren't getting them or our conversations don't steer in that direction. [1] a bit of sniffles, some coughing, no fever or headaches
- thrownaway2424 12y ago
  The flu vaccine is a bit of guesswork since, as I understand it, they have to pick a strain or family of the virus to vaccinate against, based on which they think is likely to be popular that season. They can be wrong.
- simplemath 12y ago
  See reply here for why healthy people should still get a flu shot https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8456067 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8456067
  - Swizec 12y ago
    Or I could just avoid touching people if I have the sniffles? And just follow standard recommended practices for limiting the spread of colds (wash hands before/after touching face, only sneeze/cough into your elbow, avoid sick people etc.) Does that not suffice? Can I still transfer the flu even if the virus isn't affecting me in even the slightest possible way?
    - pdabbadabba 12y ago
      Well, define "suffice." The methods you list are certainly good things to do, but you you really think that would make it impossible (or even very unlikely) for you to infect someone else? When you sneeze into your elbow, no droplets at all escape into the air? Do you always wash your hands after sneezing or touching your face before touching any other surface? I seriously doubt it. Meanwhile, what are the risks of getting a flu shot? Effectively zero. Just get it, please.
      - Swizec 12y ago
        > Meanwhile, what are the risks of getting a flu shot? Effectively zero. To be perfectly honest, it's not about risk. It's about the nuisance of yet another errand to run. Unfortunately that small-ish barrier is often enough to prevent me from doing things that don't feel absolutely essential. Hell, I wonder where I would even go to get a flu shot ... my general physician? I don't even know where their offices are ...
        pdabbadabba 12y ago
        I relate. I usually don't get one either for equally poor reasons. But these days they make it really easy: you can get one from CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other pharmacy chains.
        krschultz 12y ago
        At least in NYC, you can walk into any pharmacy at any hour of the day and get it for free in under 5 minutes. I know because I walked into the Duane Reade next to my building at 10pm on a Saturday and got it. It takes longer to buy a 6 pack of beer, then you at least have to take out ID.
        hga 12y ago
        Many drug stores are doing it now. Check out Walgreen's, CVS, also Target. Heck, my GP told me to go to one to get my Tetanus etc. booster (it's a lot easier for them to keep it in stock).
- isaacdl 12y ago
  > Like my girlfriend. If you regularly make out with said girlfriend, I'd be fairly confident that either of you would have a difficult time making the other ill.

Yes I understand how vaccines work. But it just doesn't seem like seasonal flu ever gets in contact with me. At worst I will get a mild seasonal cold[1], which isn't problematic at all. And I don't seem to get sick even when I make out with people suffering from a cold (like my girlfriend). Maybe I just have an abnormally strong immune system? And while you could make a point of herd immunity, flu shots aren't very popular where I'm from. I only know of one person who's ever gotten one. The others either aren't getting them or our conversations don't steer in that direction. [1] a bit of sniffles, some coughing, no fever or headaches

thrownaway2424 12y ago
The flu vaccine is a bit of guesswork since, as I understand it, they have to pick a strain or family of the virus to vaccinate against, based on which they think is likely to be popular that season. They can be wrong.
simplemath 12y ago
See reply here for why healthy people should still get a flu shot https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8456067 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8456067
- Swizec 12y ago
  Or I could just avoid touching people if I have the sniffles? And just follow standard recommended practices for limiting the spread of colds (wash hands before/after touching face, only sneeze/cough into your elbow, avoid sick people etc.) Does that not suffice? Can I still transfer the flu even if the virus isn't affecting me in even the slightest possible way?
  - pdabbadabba 12y ago
    Well, define "suffice." The methods you list are certainly good things to do, but you you really think that would make it impossible (or even very unlikely) for you to infect someone else? When you sneeze into your elbow, no droplets at all escape into the air? Do you always wash your hands after sneezing or touching your face before touching any other surface? I seriously doubt it. Meanwhile, what are the risks of getting a flu shot? Effectively zero. Just get it, please.
    - Swizec 12y ago
      > Meanwhile, what are the risks of getting a flu shot? Effectively zero. To be perfectly honest, it's not about risk. It's about the nuisance of yet another errand to run. Unfortunately that small-ish barrier is often enough to prevent me from doing things that don't feel absolutely essential. Hell, I wonder where I would even go to get a flu shot ... my general physician? I don't even know where their offices are ...
      - pdabbadabba 12y ago
        I relate. I usually don't get one either for equally poor reasons. But these days they make it really easy: you can get one from CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other pharmacy chains.
      - krschultz 12y ago
        At least in NYC, you can walk into any pharmacy at any hour of the day and get it for free in under 5 minutes. I know because I walked into the Duane Reade next to my building at 10pm on a Saturday and got it. It takes longer to buy a 6 pack of beer, then you at least have to take out ID.
      - hga 12y ago
        Many drug stores are doing it now. Check out Walgreen's, CVS, also Target. Heck, my GP told me to go to one to get my Tetanus etc. booster (it's a lot easier for them to keep it in stock).
isaacdl 12y ago
> Like my girlfriend. If you regularly make out with said girlfriend, I'd be fairly confident that either of you would have a difficult time making the other ill.