Is the flu shot all that effective?

For the past 78 years, many people of our society have received a flu shot. The flu shot has effectively reduced the high risk of a large population being infected by a flu virus. Although not everyone receives a flu shot each season, it can benefit society as a whole from flu from spreading.

We have also seen that many people chose not to receive the flu shot as they believe it only increases their chances of getting the flu. So ultimately which is more beneficial?

I recently examined New York Time article, “Over 80,000 Americans Died of Flu Last Winter, Highest Toll in Years” by Donald G. McNeil Jr. which reviewed the risk that the flu shot poses. An unusual amount of people died from the flu in the last season which leads scientists to question how effective the flu shot is.

According to McNeil Jr, “More than 80,000 Americans died of the flu in the winter..90 percent of those deaths were in people over age 65, the flu also killed 180 young children and teenagers….high mortality rate was unusual because it was caused by a ‘normal’ flu season, not by a new pandemic influenza strain.” Scientists face a mystery as to how the flu was more harmful this past season if the strain was normal.

The vaccine was not as effective as previous years which leads me to question how effective this “treatment” is that is being promoted by doctors. Many doctors often encourage patients to receive the flu shot to hopefully prevent them from catching the flu.

Perhaps this season, doctors should investigate the other types of variables put into the flu shot to eliminate all types of the flu. With flu shots being as promoted as they are, they should have at least a 50% guarantee that those who receive the shot will not catch the flu.