Flu Vaccine Failed: Flu Now Tearing Through 49 Out of 50 States

1. just a guy
   February 28th, 2008 at 3:19 am

   I wonder what state was had not been 'torn through'?

   I'd guess Hawii due to it being apart from the other states.

2. Alex
   February 28th, 2008 at 4:47 am

   Maybe Alaska (yay for their isolation!)

3. violet/riga
   February 28th, 2008 at 6:06 am

   Don't you Americans start thinking you've got the monopoly on flu! This week has been spent in bed coughing and spluttering. I'm not sure how hard it's hit the UK this year, and that leads to an interesting question: is it possible to create a leaderboard showing the prevalence of flu in different countries?

4. Lasse
   February 28th, 2008 at 6:20 am

   This must be the first beginnings of a zombie infection.

5. SickyMcGee
   February 28th, 2008 at 7:57 am

   I've been sick for about 5 days in a row, twice in the past two weeks. Not fun.

6. Myleti
   February 28th, 2008 at 8:32 am

   I had the flu during the week of the 12,345th post, and, in fact, I think I posted that in my comment on that post.

   I have a fairly high immune system, so I never got the flu before, but I'll say this, I NEVER want it again!

7. Dave
   February 28th, 2008 at 8:33 am

   Why should you feel better knowing that others share in your misery?

8. stacyj
   February 28th, 2008 at 8:44 am

   Arrgh, I saw something about this a week ago and have been trying hard, so hard, to put it out of my mind in the hopes that I might still at least glean some sort of anti-flu placebo effect off of my shot ... now I'm gonna have to go hide in my anti-viral doomsday bunker clear through to May, I hope you're happy!

9. SW
   February 28th, 2008 at 10:38 am

   that's why i never bother with the flu vaccine (beside the fact that i'm not a big fan of needles) - it's developed based on complete guesswork, and you run the risk of having a bad reaction to the vaccine, so i take my chances and, knock wood, no flu in over a decade

10. davel225
    February 28th, 2008 at 11:15 am

    Since it is apparent that this years flu shot is not effective the makers of the flu vaccine(Novartis AG)are getting worried about demand next year. So they got their lobbyists to lean on the government. So the CDC has is now recommending that all children get a flu vaccine next year:

    http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Flu-Shots-Kids.html?scp=1&sq=cdc +flu&st=nyt

    K street won't give you the flu, but they get you to take a flu shot whether it works or not.

11. Jill
    February 28th, 2008 at 11:17 am

    Just finished a stairstep series of it in my house - kid gets it, hubster gets it 2 days later and I pick it up 9 hours after him. It was a quick and painful way to lose 10 pounds in 48 hours.
    FWIW, I had the vaccine, took my activia yogurt daily and took lactoferrin, hoping it would build up my immunity - no such luck....

12. the lord
    February 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am

    ive never had a flu shot and ive never gotten the flu

13. twintigress
    February 28th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    I'm with Myleti- I don't usually get sick, but I got this one. It was not a pleasant experience.

    You have my sympathies, Alex. May you be better soon!

14. batchild
    February 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    THANK YOU for this post... I have been wondering for weeks whether this NASTY flu that has hit everyone I know around the country is newsworthy. I have not been to a doctor for an illness related visit in at least 10 years (easily) and 4 days into this illness I went. So many people have it turn into pneumonia and other things. It took weeks to be fully over it.

15. L
    February 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    So, basically, the vaccine did nothing but line the vaccine manufacturers' pockets. Obviously, trying to predict which strains will be a problem is like trying to predict the weather: you can make a guess based on current conditions, but beyond that it's a crapshoot.

16. MoniA
    February 28th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    I usually have weak immune system and catch bugs easily. I know a herbalist who is a Medical Doctor as well and she told me to try this. So this winter I bought some herbal extract drops with 2 kinds of echinacea plus golden seal and it has worked for me. I got the kind processed with alcohol instead of the "alcohol free" kind because it's supposed to be more potent. There are different brand that probably would work. Oh an don't expect it to taste good. That golden seal is bitter. I think it's worth it. Wishing good health to you all. Oh yeah and drink LOTS of water if you can. It's simple but that helps too.

17. Josh
    February 28th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    I have never gotten a flu shot just because it is a waste of time and money. I have never gotten the flu in my entire life which is another reason I never have gotten the shot. I find it crazy so many people are willing to inject themselves with the same thing they are trying to avoid. I do not take anything for colds, headaches, pain, etc unless it is unbearable which is extremely rare. I was just around two people with the flu a couple weeks ago that took the shot and still got the flu.

18. noni
    February 29th, 2008 at 12:16 am

    At work, it seems like we are running a special on pneumonia and febrile seizures. Funny to see a bunch of old folks lined up with their IV antibiotics and naked babies wearing only diapers (to help keep fever down).

    Thanks influenza!

    I work in the ER and I'm ready to jump off a cliff. I just have to keep saying to myself, "Come on June... Come on June!"

19. MoonCake
    February 29th, 2008 at 8:57 am

    i have never had the vaccine nor have i gotten the illness. i have gotten it during the off-season, but tht was due to stress and lack of sleep. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, PEOPLE! preventative measures work better than shots, trust me. eccinachea is your best friend.

20. Justin
    February 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Experts in the CDC and other organizations monitor the influenza strains around the world (particularly in the southern hemisphere) six months before our flu season in order to determine the probable strain. (There are 200)

    If you read the article you would discover that although it was viewed as a failure the vaccine does stop 40% of flu cases.

    An estimated 36,000 people die each year from the flu or flu complications in the US alone. So for those advising people not to get your shot that is horrible advice. Sure if you are a young, healthy person than your risk level is low for developing serious problems. But for the young, elderly, and sick your advice could be a death sentence!

    For me personally I got sick when I was in Ecuador and right as I was getting over it, I get the flu here! It was a miserable few weeks to say the least.

    Taking proper care of your body is paramount, but you should always make sure to get vaccinated for viruses that are prevalent in your area.

21. ALloyd
    March 1st, 2008 at 4:41 am

    Josh - you're probably naturally resistant, which means you're likely a carrier!

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