jXwXeXrXmXoX...@sonic.net wrote:

The vaccination process for influenza A is complex, but there are
a limited number of known variants, and through the years, they
mutate back and forth between each other.  Last year's shots,
therefore, won't be as effective against this year's flu.  But there
will be some similarity, and it will provide *some* protection.

The trick, and the reason why the flu vaccine is late every year,
is to try to predict or catch what this year's particular combo
will be....in the case of Avian flu, they have to wait and see
if it will mutate the dreaded H5 form, I believe it is, which
will make it more severe if it becomes transferable to humans.
This year's flu vaccine, not having Avian flu formulation in it,
might not be a total protection, but it is close enough to
at least give some protection, or at least, if one gets sick,
to modulate the illness so it is not so severe. The main
point is to deprive the influenza virus of a large
portion of the population to incubate and thereby
strike the weak part of the population, being the
sick, the elderly, and the very young.  If we are
vaccinated, then the virus cannot pass through
us to those more vulnerable.

It's a rough process, for flu, but so far the only real
protection we have.  As for the other poster's
remark about vaccinations being nothing but filth,
I won't even bother to comment.  Anyone who has ever
seen a child stricken with polio, diphtheria, tetanus,
Haemophilus influenza, meningitis,
or pertussis will know that it is worth every
single amount of effort we have ever made
to prevent people from being stricken by
these killer diseases.  Anyone who has
seen a case of measles go bad will never
forget it.  People who are
against vaccinations clearly have short
collective memories about what humanity
faced when confronted with these
horrible diseases.

--tension

They have to develop a new variety of flu vaccine each year because
the flu virus keeps mutating.  It is one of the most rapidly-changing
species known.  However, even if the virus has changed somewhat since
the vaccine was developed, the vaccine will still give you partial
protection by slowing the rate at which the virus can multiply, giving
your system time to develop antibodies to the particular strain you
have caught.

Heh. I have a better idea. Stay away from malls, crowds, school
children and the doctor's office. :-)
That's where you catch everything.
I never get sick with colds, or flu, strep, or anything like that.
Ever. I eat relatively healthy, but I do eat a lot of flour products
and nonfat dairy.  I never have had an internal cleansing...in fact,
that term kind of creeps me out.

Sherry

The only time I had a flu vaccine was when I was 18, that was the only year
I ever caught flu. It is quite possible that the strain I caught was not the
one I was vaccinated for but since then I haven't bothered. I've had a few
bad colds but not flu since then. My mother has a jab every year, because
she's asthmatic it's probably a good idea but if your general health is good
I'd take my chances.

Baggy seems extra purry today, as I type this he's pressed against my side
purring like a diesel engine. :-)

On Sat 21 Oct 2006 06:30:45p,  wrote in rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
(news:453a9f95$0$34578$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net):

That's how I felt about it too, which is why I've never had one. I
don't get the flu often, but when I do, it seems it takes more out
of me, and is harder to recover from. As is stated in this thread,
the flu seems to get stronger all the time as it mutates and I
guess it's to the point that it scares me a little.

I'd get a shot if you have the opportunity. I've been hearing
about a lot of *free* flu shot clinics here for this year, so even
if you can't afford it along with an office visit you can still
get one. They're doing free shots where I work this year. They've
always had a yearly shot at cost, but the new company is pushing
health awareness these days, along with no smoking on the company
premises starting in Jan. Ugh. That's going to be rough for me.