Hell, vacinations against things like smallpox and diptheria and polio and measles have eradicated these illnesses from developed countries and indeed most of the undeveloped world too, saving hundreds of millions of lives. Vaccines are effective forms of protection against a variety of viral illnesses. Anyone who thinks otherwise really needs to study just twentieth century history.
Due to the mutating nature of the flu virus, no single vaccine will protect against all strains of the flu, and indeed, a wide variety of other upper respiratory germs float around, expecially in winter that are not influenza but which may be mistaken for same. Often enough, people get one of these after getting a flu jab and think "oh, the vaccine made me sick", when indeed, this is very unlikely. It is far, far more likely that the person has come into contact with anyone of these other infections.
So, at any rate, both the missus and I receive our shots annually, have remained flu free and hope to continue on that way! Not sure about getting the little one innoculated though, the jury is still out on innoculations for the under 2.
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Originally Posted by willravel
... any doctor can tell you that being healthy is the best defence against diseases, including influenza.
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That's why in 1918 the flu killed so many people aged 18-40 in the prime of life? They were the prime targets.
Of course, general good health is great, and infleuenza usually takes its greatest toll on the young and elderly, but it is no always so, Will.