Mon Feb 16, 2015, 02:53 PM

mzmolly (50,472 posts)

Fewer than half in USA get flu shots, CDC says ~ USA Today

Last edited Mon Feb 16, 2015, 03:37 PM - Edit history (1)

At a time when many people are preoccupied with the dangers of Ebola and a rare respiratory virus striking children, health officials announced Thursday that fewer than half of Americans are being vaccinated against the flu, which kills an average of more than 30,000 people a year.

The disparity is striking given that influenza vaccines are available more widely than ever — including at supermarkets, drugstores and many workplaces — and there are options to accommodate just about everyone's preferences, from needle-free shots to high-dose versions, said William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for everyone older than 6 months.

The flu season could be tougher than usual this year if it follows the pattern seen in Australia, which has reported the highest number of influenza cases in five years, Schaffner said. He noted that flu is hard to predict. In many years, however, flu outbreaks in the southern hemisphere can predict flu activity in the USA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advice on flu shots and other vaccinations aimed at keeping children, pregnant women and senior citizens healthy.

More at LINK:

Of note: Percent of adults 18-49 years who received an influenza vaccination during the past 12 months: 29.6%

Percent of adults 50-64 years who received an influenza vaccination during the past 12 months: 46.5%

Where is the outrage at unvaccinated adults who are "spreading disease to the vulnerable?" And, where is the discussion about mandating vaccines for adults, who are clearly capable if spreading disease?

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103 replies	Author	Time	Post
Fewer than half in USA get flu shots, CDC says ~ USA Today (Original post)	mzmolly	Feb 2015	OP
Being outraged over a vaccine that is only 23% effective	hobbit709	Feb 2015	#1
Thank you.	cwydro	Feb 2015	#3
Another who is going against official CDC recommendations?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#7
It does not protect you against ALL flu.	cwydro	Feb 2015	#14
So you think the CDC is wrong to strongly	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#24
I have no opinion about the CDC or their recommendations.	cwydro	Feb 2015	#34
Gotcha.	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#38
not hard to figure that one out	Skittles	Feb 2015	#88
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Feb 2015	#44
30% is better then 0%	Marrah_G	Feb 2015	#58
You sound anti-flu vaccine?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#5
this year's vaccine strain is only 23% effective	hobbit709	Feb 2015	#10
"All persons aged 6 months > are recommended for annual vaccination, with rare exception." ~ CDC	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#13
Lots of half-wits predicate their healthcare on post-hoc-ergo-prompter-hoc.	LanternWaste	Feb 2015	#68
And then there's those that want to throw their 2 cents worth in.	hobbit709	Feb 2015	#69
that's about what it is worth	Skittles	Feb 2015	#89
Sorry,	cwydro	Feb 2015	#43
The vaccine effectiveness has been almost always higher.	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#8
Did you mean that flu kills... Or that the flu vaccine kills...?	spooky3	Feb 2015	#15
Flu does not kill otherwise healthy individuals.	former9thward	Feb 2015	#18
But it does spread to the vulnerable,	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#25
Not if you don't have it.	former9thward	Feb 2015	#39
Everyone is vulnerable	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#73
No, everyone is not vulnerable.	former9thward	Feb 2015	#76
Up to 1 in 5	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#77
Yes, I know the CDC uses the "5% to 20%" figure	former9thward	Feb 2015	#83
A lot of people are healthy but may have	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#31
Hear hear!	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#36
I certainly do not criticize anyone for decisions they make about their own health.	cwydro	Feb 2015	#50
Against the flu?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#51
We're going to have to agree to disagree here.	cwydro	Feb 2015	#52
I also TOTALLY REFUSE to get a flu shot, also	onecent	Feb 2015	#54
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Feb 2015	#59
I don't see the problem. If someone wants to get the shot, then they have nothing to worry about	sabrina 1	Feb 2015	#53
It's not 100% effective.	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#72
Wrong	gollygee	Feb 2015	#63
And the reason it didn't kill very many over the age of 50 was	SheilaT	Feb 2015	#71
Probably would be more effective if everyone had a flu shot. .	B Calm	Feb 2015	#82
And 1//8 effective in the PNW...	jen1980	Feb 2015	#90
thank u	Liberal_in_LA	Feb 2015	#102
Don't know the answers	JustAnotherGen	Feb 2015	#2
Meh, I never get a flu shot.	dissentient	Feb 2015	#4
LOL, I was waiting for the first one of these. so silly. nt	Logical	Feb 2015	#78
We've been over this before, but	B2G	Feb 2015	#6
Time for a mass re-education	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#9
Could be, but there are years when they run short	B2G	Feb 2015	#12
Going against CDC recommendations?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#20
Yep. People need to be put into the camps	dumbcat	Feb 2015	#87
There appears to be plenty of vaccine.	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#19
There is THIS year	B2G	Feb 2015	#30
That's why you should check with your dr	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#37
Also many don't even think about it. I get mine because I see the doctor every 3 months and they	jwirr	Feb 2015	#27
Anti-vaxxers at DU should be treated the same as chemtrailers...nt	SidDithers	Feb 2015	#11
You can't lump those who don't get the flu shot	B2G	Feb 2015	#16
Adults can't spread disease?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#28
Are you proposing requiring flu shots	B2G	Feb 2015	#29
I'm proposing consistency	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#32
I'm proposing that people not be hypocrites	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#42
You will never have her immunity against the flu	B2G	Feb 2015	#57
A good reason to get new flu vax each year. nt	Ilsa	Feb 2015	#70
Which is why you get one every year, to protect against the strains they think will	uppityperson	Feb 2015	#85
Why not? Getting vx'd to protect yourself and others is the same.	uppityperson	Feb 2015	#84
Presumably, you're referring to those who haven't had a flu jab?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#21
Which adult immunizations do you need?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#41
+1, n/t	RKP5637	Feb 2015	#49
The flu vaccine is generally mandated for health workers and those who care for the elderly	LeftishBrit	Feb 2015	#17
My point is that the CDC	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#22
The difference is in the risks/benefits themselves, not in whether one is 'allowed' to weigh them	LeftishBrit	Feb 2015	#40
Do adults have an 'excuse'	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#48
One possible excuse is cost; such vaccines should be provided for free	LeftishBrit	Feb 2015	#91
The measles vaccine	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#92
As regards Ebola and quarantine..	LeftishBrit	Feb 2015	#93
I'm glad we've circled back around to	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#96
Firstly, if people have medical reasons for not being vaccinated, then of course they should not be	LeftishBrit	Feb 2015	#97
Most people who spread illness	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#100
It burns. nt.	NCTraveler	Feb 2015	#23
Hypocrisy?	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#26
No, when I pee. Assumptions suck. nt.	NCTraveler	Feb 2015	#35
+3.14159265359	Glassunion	Feb 2015	#62
My husband and I get flu shots every year. My sister did not and got the flu that became pneumonia.	appleannie1	Feb 2015	#33
Same here! n/t	RKP5637	Feb 2015	#47
Doctor recommended I get the flu shot this year.	geomon666	Feb 2015	#45
Thanks for posting this. I got one + for pneumonia. I have a friend that almost	RKP5637	Feb 2015	#46
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Feb 2015	#60
You have a medical degrees now?	ismnotwasm	Feb 2015	#61
She knows how to use the Dewey Decimal system, 616 area	uppityperson	Feb 2015	#86
Protects my other half	One_Life_To_Give	Feb 2015	#55
Stomach flu	HockeyMom	Feb 2015	#56
I hope your	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#74
~facepalm~	Marrah_G	Feb 2015	#64
I totally skipped it.	Glassunion	Feb 2015	#65
Ive never had a flu shot in my life.	Travis_0004	Feb 2015	#66
LOL, I love these posts. nt	Logical	Feb 2015	#80
FWIW - the ones I really pushed to get a flu shot this year are the two adult kids	hedgehog	Feb 2015	#67
Those of us who believe in protecting ourselves and our loved ones	Jamastiene	Feb 2015	#75
I respect	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#79
I would but allergic to eggs and the non egg vaccine has not been on the market long.	dilby	Feb 2015	#81
Oh great. Nagging people to get a flu shot.	Quantess	Feb 2015	#94
Got a flu shot for the first time this past fall (nt)	bigwillq	Feb 2015	#95
More: Senior CDC Scientist and Whistleblower Dr. William W. Thompson on Thimerosal & Pregnant Women	proverbialwisdom	Feb 2015	#98
Loved the rhetorical question.	DeSwiss	Feb 2015	#99
.	mzmolly	Feb 2015	#101
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Jul 2019	#103

Response to mzmolly (Original post)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 02:57 PM

hobbit709 (41,694 posts)

1. Being outraged over a vaccine that is only 23% effective

is not the same as one that is 90+% effective.

Fewer than half in USA get flu shots, CDC says ~ USA Today

1. Being outraged over a vaccine that is only 23% effective

3. Thank you.

7. Another who is going against official CDC recommendations?

14. It does not protect you against ALL flu.

24. So you think the CDC is wrong to strongly

34. I have no opinion about the CDC or their recommendations.

38. Gotcha.

88. not hard to figure that one out

58. 30% is better then 0%

5. You sound anti-flu vaccine?

10. this year's vaccine strain is only 23% effective

13. "All persons aged 6 months > are recommended for annual vaccination, with rare exception." ~ CDC

68. Lots of half-wits predicate their healthcare on post-hoc-ergo-prompter-hoc.

69. And then there's those that want to throw their 2 cents worth in.

89. that's about what it is worth

43. Sorry,

8. The vaccine effectiveness has been almost always higher.

15. Did you mean that flu kills... Or that the flu vaccine kills...?

18. Flu does not kill otherwise healthy individuals.

25. But it does spread to the vulnerable,

39. Not if you don't have it.

73. Everyone is vulnerable

76. No, everyone is not vulnerable.

77. Up to 1 in 5

83. Yes, I know the CDC uses the "5% to 20%" figure

31. A lot of people are healthy but may have

36. Hear hear!

50. I certainly do not criticize anyone for decisions they make about their own health.

51. Against the flu?

52. We're going to have to agree to disagree here.

54. I also TOTALLY REFUSE to get a flu shot, also

53. I don't see the problem. If someone wants to get the shot, then they have nothing to worry about

72. It's not 100% effective.

63. Wrong

71. And the reason it didn't kill very many over the age of 50 was

82. Probably would be more effective if everyone had a flu shot. .

90. And 1//8 effective in the PNW...

102. thank u

2. Don't know the answers

4. Meh, I never get a flu shot.

78. LOL, I was waiting for the first one of these. so silly. nt

6. We've been over this before, but

9. Time for a mass re-education

12. Could be, but there are years when they run short

20. Going against CDC recommendations?

87. Yep. People need to be put into the camps

19. There appears to be plenty of vaccine.

30. There is THIS year

37. That's why you should check with your dr

27. Also many don't even think about it. I get mine because I see the doctor every 3 months and they

11. Anti-vaxxers at DU should be treated the same as chemtrailers...nt

16. You can't lump those who don't get the flu shot

28. Adults can't spread disease?

29. Are you proposing requiring flu shots

32. I'm proposing consistency

42. I'm proposing that people not be hypocrites

57. You will never have her immunity against the flu

70. A good reason to get new flu vax each year. nt

85. Which is why you get one every year, to protect against the strains they think will

84. Why not? Getting vx'd to protect yourself and others is the same.

21. Presumably, you're referring to those who haven't had a flu jab?

41. Which adult immunizations do you need?

49. +1, n/t

17. The flu vaccine is generally mandated for health workers and those who care for the elderly

22. My point is that the CDC

40. The difference is in the risks/benefits themselves, not in whether one is 'allowed' to weigh them

48. Do adults have an 'excuse'

91. One possible excuse is cost; such vaccines should be provided for free

92. The measles vaccine

93. As regards Ebola and quarantine..

96. I'm glad we've circled back around to

97. Firstly, if people have medical reasons for not being vaccinated, then of course they should not be

100. Most people who spread illness

23. It burns. nt.

26. Hypocrisy?

35. No, when I pee. Assumptions suck. nt.

62. +3.14159265359

33. My husband and I get flu shots every year. My sister did not and got the flu that became pneumonia.

47. Same here! n/t