The question again arises, is the flu shot necessary? The best way to come to a conclusion is to examine the facts. From an economic point of view, on an annual basis the flu impacts our economy with a three to five billion dollar cost and it interrupts approximately 383 million work and school days. According to the CDC, cost and productivity losses connected with influenza sickness can be reduced by vaccination.Children and the elderly in the high-risk category are subject to complications of influenza and possibly death. According to research findings, the flu vaccination prevents developing those complications.
Upon examination of the facts, healthy people that don’t get the flu may still be in doubt. Nonetheless, the possibility that everyone can contact the flu must be considered. The bottom line is prevention and relief of symptoms. For healthy individuals it is a matter of taking a chance, but for those at risk it can be a matter of life or death.
Pro or Con
The decision to take the shot or not must be made based on logic, circumstance and fact. To simply view the flu inoculation as a commodity (like a shot of Botox) would definitely be a mistake. Cosmetic procedures cannot be compared with disease prevention. And until all the research is complete, medical science must be prepared to battle life taking viruses and the general public must be willing to protect itself from them.
To be immunized or not to be immunized still comes down to individual choice. But knowledge and education on the flu virus and its effect and prevention will help make the best individual decisions. One should be aware of the symptoms so that the difference can be made between contracting a cold and contracting the flu.