Flu jabs...available to all?

LondonDiva

Ignore the cod science above and if you are vulnerable and have concerns, please discuss with a qualified practioner such as a GP or pharmacist.

Ted_Hutchinson

LondonDiva wrote: »

Ignore the cod science above and if you are vulnerable and have concerns, please discuss with a qualified practioner such as a GP or pharmacist.

Flu jabs 'don't prevent deaths in the elderly'
Interesting to see The Lancet Infectious Diseases described as cod science.

LondonDiva

No Ted, I was referring to you.

For any vaccine to be expected to prevent deaths, is a pretty tall order. What vaccines do is reduce incidents and severity of the illness in question.

My suggesting that people speak to a GP or pharmacist trained in medcines management about any related concerns, rather than rely on your random and sometimes very worrying advice is something I'd repeat.

alba37

kal25 wrote: »

Has all the people that had it before had reactions, is it normal to get flu/cold symptoms after having it? It's just I was told off by the doctor a few months back as I never have the flu jab but suffer with mild asthma . However, I have had a few bad chest infections and asthma has been slightly worse so will be thinking about this . this year. Also I assume you have to be well when you get the jab,as I think I am coming down with a stinking cold at the moment.

I normally get a bit of swelling, hot to the touch, around the area of the injection, which last a few days. Some years I've felt a bit off, also for a few days, with flu'ish' type symptoms, but it's nothing in comparison to flu or even a bad cold.

Ted_Hutchinson

LondonDiva wrote: »

What vaccines do is reduce incidents and severity of the illness in question.

As indeed does having a naturally effective immune system.

My suggesting that people speak to a GP or pharmacist trained in medcines management about any related concerns.

Current prescribing and dispensing practice regarding Ergocalciferol Vit D2 puts the best interests of the Pharmacutical industry before the best interests of patients.

Not only will a GP or pharmacist provide the least effective form of vitamin d they will also supply at ineffective levels.

Current "official" advice and prescribing/dispensing practice is demonstrably out of line with recent research and common sense.

An infant who weighs three kilos gets 400 international units," she observed. "So you have a woman who's 60, 70, 80 kilos, who's only getting 400 and think about that per kilo - it's really negligible."

The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective

Vitamin D’s Crucial Role in Cardiovascular Protection

Ted_Hutchinson

Atomised wrote: »

Talking to your Doctor or nurse is best

Link to influenza chapter Green Book

Seasonal Flu campaign - young people at risk urged to get the jab

Given the fact that "targets" means achieving performance indicators does anyone really imagine information provided by your health professional will differ in any significant detail from the "official" NHS advice?

By nature GP's are "consensus" orientated and individual doctors do not like to think or act for themselves preferring the "herd mentality" of always doing what everyone else is. This is how we arrive at a situation where vitually every UK doctor would prescribe Ergocalciferol yet everyone who know anything about Cholecalciferol knows it's not only cheaper but also more effective.

If you read the Green Book information about flu jabs you will see page

188

"Some influenza vaccines currently contain thiomersal. Other influenza vaccines are thiomersal-free. They have equivalent efficacy and safety. If a thiomersal-free influenza vaccine is not available, then a thiomersal-containing vaccine should be given."

Does anyone actually believe without the patient actually asking, it is likely anyone will be offered the information by their Doctor or nurse that "a mercury based compound may be used?"

Who thinks it's a good idea that vulnerable people should have an annual mercury injection?

Go back to page 186 of the green book and look at the graph of flu incidence and compare that to the months of lowest vitamin D status plotted in the charts at the end of this paper

The reason we use vaccines is they make pharmaceutical companies a lot of money. Improving the immune status of patients so they are less likely to get ill will not improve the profit margins year on year.

The cost of a years supply of 5000iu/d cholecalciferol is around £13.50 (including p&p from USA)
Standard vaccine
£22 for new patients, £18 for NHS - eligible & past patients

New technology vaccine
£32 for new patients, £25 for NHS - eligible & past patients

suzukibabe

It might be worth asking your occupational health dept. at work.
Ours run drop in sessions every year and offer the flu jab to all employees.

Ted_Hutchinson

Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in the Community-Dwelling Elderly

Influenza — The Goal of Control

Long-Term Effectiveness of Flu Vaccine in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons

The new evidence linked to above hasn't changed my mind that the best moneysaving option if one were in the position of choosing Vitamin D3 OR Flu Jab that Vit D3 (although the evidence for it's preventative role for influenza is liimited) remains the best option. But it isn't the case of one or other, people with high vitamin D status can still have a flu jab and people who have had a flu jab will still benefit (lower cancer incidence) from having a higher than average vit d status.

Mortality benefits of influenza vaccination in elderly people: an ongoing controversy. concludes The remaining evidence base is currently insufficient to indicate the magnitude of the mortality benefit, if any, that elderly people derive from the vaccination programme but those authors would not have considered the newly published evidence above.

The more cynical readers may note Dr. Nichol reports serving as a consultant to or as a member of medical advisory boards of Sanofi Pasteur, MedImmune, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis and receiving grant support from Sanofi Pasteur and GlaxoSmithKline; and Dr. Nordin, receiving grant support from Sanofi Pasteur and the CDC..

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

You can get one done for £14.50 at some of the Morrisons supermarkets if they have a pharmacy.A nurse is going to be in on set days to those who make an appointment for one.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

sorry, just realised someone already mentioned this........