Flu vaccine question

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Okay, got a question for you all.

Don't want this to devolve into "pros and cons" of vax. There are other threads for that.

What I want to know is this: In the US, the push to have EVERYONE vaccinated for flu is a blanket recommendation. It used to just be certain individuals, and it eventually increased to cover the recommendation that EVERYONE have it.

This board is comprised of folks from all over the world. What are the recomendations of your respective countries? Is it everyone, or just selected, vulnerable people?

[BroomJockey]

In Alberta, we were going to have open clinics where everyone could get the vax, and it was recommended everyone should, but unfortunately they got shorted on the supply and rolled it back to just critical risk people. Once the supply ups again, they're going to go back to open clinics.

[kamn]

The recommendation is for everyone to get it, but the clinics report they have NOWHERE near the appropriate amounts.

[Nyoibo]

It depends on what's being vaccinated against, some things are at risk groups only, others are everyone.

[Flyndaran]

It depends on what's being vaccinated against, some things are at risk groups only, others are everyone.

Absolutely. It needs to benefit to the individual needs to outweigh the risks. For many vaccinations this is always obvious one way or the other.
The flu is closer to the line.
I have never had the flu in my life. I am a 35 year old healthier than I should be anti-social couch potato. The very tiny risks outweigh the even tinier rewards, so I shouldn't get it.
For many others, the benefits outweigh the risks.

[BroomJockey]

You know, I swear RK asked for this thread to NOT be about the pros/cons of the flu vaccine, since we DO have other threads for that.

[fireheart17]

It depends on what's being vaccinated against, some things are at risk groups only, others are everyone.

From what I know, in regards to the aporkalypse vaccine (also known as the swine flu vaccine), the recommendation is at-risk groups (which is basically chronically ill, elderly, pregnant women and indigenous Australians). I'm not getting it unless I'm in a more high-risk situation. at this stage, I'm a low-medium risk depending on where I am (home, shopping centre and uni)

[NorthernZel]

In Denmark, flu shots are recommended for the elderly, pregnant women and children who suffer from, for instance, asthma and bronchitis.

Also, health care workers get flu shots at the moment.

[lordlundar]

In Alberta, we were going to have open clinics where everyone could get the vax, and it was recommended everyone should, but unfortunately they got shorted on the supply and rolled it back to just critical risk people. Once the supply ups again, they're going to go back to open clinics.

What he said, though I'll add in that they also planned for a reasonable response over a longer period of time. However the media coverage caused a panic that wasn't planned for.

[Flyndaran]

What he said, though I'll add in that they also planned for a reasonable response over a longer period of time. However the media coverage caused a panic that wasn't planned for.

The media causing a panic is so common, it should always be planned for.