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The Quest to End the Flu
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/the-quest-to-end-the-flu/354677/
".......Even in good years, the flu vaccine does worse than vaccines for other diseases like measles or polio. Last year, Osterholm and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota surveyed a number of studies on standard flu-vaccine shots. For adults younger than 65, they estimated that flu shots are 59 percent effective. As people get older, their immune system grows weaker, and so effectiveness wanes in people older than 65. Most people who die of the seasonal flu are older than 65; some studies suggest that a vaccine lowers the number of flu-related deaths in this group by as little as 5 percent.
Rather than make a risky investment to research a vastly more effective flu vaccine, producers have continued to fine-tune the existing one. “There’s no incentive to make something better, more reliable,” Anthony Fauci says. “It doesn’t make companies rich.”........."
".......Even in good years, the flu vaccine does worse than vaccines for other diseases like measles or polio. Last year, Osterholm and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota surveyed a number of studies on standard flu-vaccine shots. For adults younger than 65, they estimated that flu shots are 59 percent effective. As people get older, their immune system grows weaker, and so effectiveness wanes in people older than 65. Most people who die of the seasonal flu are older than 65; some studies suggest that a vaccine lowers the number of flu-related deaths in this group by as little as 5 percent.
Rather than make a risky investment to research a vastly more effective flu vaccine, producers have continued to fine-tune the existing one. “There’s no incentive to make something better, more reliable,” Anthony Fauci says. “It doesn’t make companies rich.”........."
I haven't gotten the flu since I first got the yearly flu shot.
Its really difficult to produce an effective yearly flu shot
as the virus mutates each year as the article detailed.
With the thousands of yearly deaths often
in people who are elderly or immune compromised
this does need to be addressed.
As with other medical research the profit over people motive
has impeded it. However I also know that potential government
regulations that could have required where funding he directed as regards
research failed to pass and has proven unpopular. Individual researchers
can be very dedicated people. However they must follow the directive
of specific grants. I know this type of concern has directly effected me
and I am sure other people here as well. Is there any means
to address this overall concern you would support?
Its really difficult to produce an effective yearly flu shot
as the virus mutates each year as the article detailed.
With the thousands of yearly deaths often
in people who are elderly or immune compromised
this does need to be addressed.
As with other medical research the profit over people motive
has impeded it. However I also know that potential government
regulations that could have required where funding he directed as regards
research failed to pass and has proven unpopular. Individual researchers
can be very dedicated people. However they must follow the directive
of specific grants. I know this type of concern has directly effected me
and I am sure other people here as well. Is there any means
to address this overall concern you would support?
I don't take them anymore. I have 3 times and got sick 3 times. Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe not, but I'm not taking the chance.
I pass every year since the one time I did take it. I can't tell you how glad I consistently am with that decision.... the worst I've dealt with is an "almost cold".
Screw that chemical. Don't wan't it or need it.
Screw that chemical. Don't wan't it or need it.
Very interesting read. Considering the lack of effectiveness of the current flu shots, I'm feeling less guilty for not getting them.
It would be awesome if they could come up with a vaccine that would protect for several years, if not for life. But of course, you always have to follow the money when it comes to these things and apparently, there just isn't that much money in doing the R&D for a reliable vaccine... though there could be, if research is successful. I know; that's a big IF...
It would be awesome if they could come up with a vaccine that would protect for several years, if not for life. But of course, you always have to follow the money when it comes to these things and apparently, there just isn't that much money in doing the R&D for a reliable vaccine... though there could be, if research is successful. I know; that's a big IF...
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