Time to end the boycott against influenza vaccine

First, let’s talk about the flu.

It’s a serious disease that claimed about 80,000 lives during the 2017-2018 influenza season. Kind of remarkable when one considers all the progress modern medicine claims.

Dr. Zathureczky has already made her case for me to receive the vaccine this year although more than a decade has passed since receiving my last flu shot. Got sick but did not catch the flu and many reasons may exist why my body faltered after the shot. Bottom line is that the flu vaccine will not cause any person to contract influenza.

Anyway, never had another flu shot. By the way, the flu delivers more severe physical ailments than a bad cold. The flu lists as a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract, one that can knock out your organs. People suffering from the flu generally end up in bed or receive hospitalization.

An estimated 200,000 people visit an emergency room or land in hospitals annually. Many deaths occur due to complications associated with pneumonia.

Not alone with this flu aversion as the Centers for Disease Control estimated that 40 percent of U.S. adults failed to receive a flu shot last season. Plus, there were 42.9 million cases of flu reported while the vaccine showed success in just 50 percent of cases.

Skepticism remains high in many homes and hearts but this year, especially with several young grandchildren in my inner family circle and another year on the life odometer, Dr. Z may finally get her way.

Yep, sign me up for either a needle or nasal spray injection. However, if I get sick again for whatever reason, it’s likely at least a decade will pass before another flu shot.