I have never had the flu shot but this year I am working in a nursing home so I have had the jab already - vulnerable population so it seemed sensible.

I ended up getting it when my wife got her's.

In today's Guardian
Huge rise in winter deaths last year blamed on ineffective flu vaccine | Society | The Guardian
The article says they couldn't identify any other reason for the spike - the most in 15 years. Not a colder winter etc.

So, again, it shows they normally get it right and having the wrong one is as bad as not having (the right) one.

But I had to laugh at this bit.

It isn't logical to get vaccinated to protect other people. Last year's vaccine in Canada was deemed to be only about 25% effective. This year's isn't expected to be much better. However, people who believe in being vaccinated must think that the vaccine confers some significant degree of immunity so why would they be at risk from people who haven't been vaccinated? Even if those unvaccinated folks do get flu, the ones who were vaccinated are protected, right? Some seniors, people living in poverty,and in poor housing are at a higher risk because their immune systems are weakened but jabbing a largely ineffective vaccine into them isn't going to help.
Interestingly, we are now well into a time period when a global 'flu epidemic is due. Have a look at the data in Vaclav Smil's book "Global Catastrophes and Trends." It was written in 2008 but the recent influx of migrants into Europe has created a situation where the probability of such an epidemic is even higher.

God no thanks. Why would you want to get injected with a nasty set of chemical crap? It doesn't cover all strains and frankly I would rather get the flu and build up my I,June system that way if necessary.

We haven't had the flu since I have been here and we never get it. All my friends that get the shot seem to get the flu

Okay, fair enough Doctor Leith. There's no truth in the medical profession's opinion that some are at greater risk than others then. Righto.
Last year's was an exception. That's why it made the news.

I haven't had the flu since I've been getting flu shots. Everyone else I know who gets flu shots hasn't had it either.

My mum's had flu a couple of times. She hasn't had flu shots.

Would you turn down the chemicals from chemotherapy? Anaesthesia?

Wow- that is a bold statement that wasn't justified on an scientific/ medical evidence basis - explain how you got to this. Maybe you should use " Dr Google" and look at recognized valid sites, not anti- vaccine anecdotal nutjob sites. Look up herd immunity. Measles spreads to the babies who cannot be vaccinated because they are too young and therefore are at a lot higher risk of getting the disease and fairly high risk of encephalitis and permanent brain damage because of lack of herd immunity due to the non vaccination brigade. In flu pandemics, the same situation would arise.
They have to predict the constituents a year or so ahead and add in flu strains, no they get it a little off occasionally but they still give moderate protection.
I'm hoping your comment about Global catastrophe is being tongue in cheek but judging by your previous comments I somehow doubt it.

As to the Howe family comment- maybe a smidge ill informed??? Seriously??
Your anecdote saying you never get flu but vaccinated friends get it I feel doesn't merit medical comment- just a roll of my eyes and a slow shake of my head in disbelief. YOU CANNOT GET FLU FROM FLU VACCINATION
I would love to see what you would do if a pandemic occurred. Would you be so bold at that time to say "I will be fine - I never get flu"?? I wonder.......

I know in my last post I told Leith to Google some properly researched information but this photo made me chuckle!

I saw another - Trust me, I'm a medical student (I saw someone do this before)

I have encountered many of them in the past- you will be pleased to know that I have never uttered those words

As per last year...

I fully support those that choose not to vaccinate...

Long live the Darwin effect

May the gene pool slowly cleanse itself

I would never trust google over a doctor, and I stopped googling test results, unless you can interpret the results out of the big picture and what they all mean together, google will have you on your death bed sometimes...