This year I got a Flu shot, as usual, and I have just finished two weeks down with the Flu. My doctor says I would have been in hospital if I had not got the Flu shot. As it is I still have a cough and I am very tired and weak. Today I went for the Shingles Vaccine. I was surprised to find out the cost is $340.00 and that it is almost never covered by medical insurance. I will have to wait to see if I am covered or not. --FLO--

Pretty good when one shot of vaccine costs more than most workers take home in a week.

Paolo wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2013 5:09 pm Pretty good when one shot of vaccine costs more than most workers take home in a week.

And the generic for Valtrex is affordable. Having had chicken pox I am at risk for Herpes Zoster/shingles. I will buy the anti-viral if I get shingles.

Uncle Flo (imported) wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2013 5:04 pm This year I got a Flu shot, as usual, and I have just finished two weeks down with the Flu. My doctor says I would have been in hospital if I had not got the Flu shot. As it is I still have a cough and I am very tired and weak. Today I went for the Shingles Vaccine. I was surprised to find out the cost is $340.00 and that it is almost never covered by medical insurance. I will have to wait to see if I am covered or not. --FLO--

Strange. My insurance was eager to cover, as opposed to paying for other ensuing care. Prevention is worth more than cure....

No flu vaccine for me. As far, as I know, vaccine is chosen for the most probable strains for the season, not the actual ones.

I haven't got any serious colds or flu for a few years, so I do not think it is necessary.

Not to say, that I do not think that extra vaccination is necessary.

Never had a flu shot.

I like to think I have a "healthy suspicion" of most medications. I will take certain ones if prescribed (I always take the FULL Rx if given antibiotics), but mostly, I avoid taking meds if there is any alternative.

I just take flus and colds as they come. I do take a lot of vitamins (C and D every day, and I alternate taking one of the other 3 (A, B12, E) daily.

This seems to keep me from getting sick, much. Cholesterol levels are good by simple diet additions (little less red meat, more raw veggies (slathered in dip, but I'm skinny)).

So, I see no need to risk poisoning myselff with a bad flu shot.

That said...

... You guys PAY for (and buy, at STORES !?) your own medical grade injectable vaccines??!

That sounds SO weird.

The facts about 'flu - real flu that is, not flu as a pseudonym for a cold,v food poisoning, whatever, are here:-

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/flu.html

nb: - it peaks in February and the average annual death rate from flu in the US is over 25,000

See also the UK Health Protection Authority:-

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Infectious ... influenza/

Here it's free if you are in at-risk category - I get it on the grounds that I am a carer for my elderly Dad.

StefanIsMe (imported) wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:15 am That said...

... You guys PAY for (and buy, at STORES !?) your own medical grade injectable vaccines??!

That sounds SO weird.

The big box stores often have clinics in them. Target and WalMart are putting them in all over, staffed by Registered Nurse Practitioners. There are some other stores doing the same. You'll be getting about 130 new Target stores in Canada very soon. Look for them; they may do the clinics.

kristoff wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:42 pm Strange. My insurance was eager to cover, as opposed to paying for other ensuing care. Prevention is worth more than cure....

I believe that insurers are starting to realize the value of prevention. In my case, I have reason to think that I am covered starting 2013 if I am 60 or older. The insurance specialist at my medical provider stated that about 20% of insurers are now covering shingles prevention and the number is going up year by year. I still had to sign a statement that I know the cost and that insurance coverage is not certain. --FLO--

They are estimating that this year's flu vaccine is only about 60% effective.

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2 ... tml?ref=hp