Hi Abby - -

This flu shot thing is (I believe) a really personal decision - just because of the pros / cons you mentioned. And you may already have some immunity to last year's flu because of your exposure (even though you didn't get it)...but, then again, you may not either!

The trick is - every year the vax is modified slightly for what they think is going to be the 'hot strain(s)'. So sometimes, even the flu shot doesn't protect against the actual hot strain because they guessed wrong when they 'recipe'd' the cultures!! (its like they manufacture the immunity for whole wheat bread - - but sourdough is what ends up making every one sick! It's still bread - - so it will work a bit...but it's not the right bread.)

Anyway, I have always been advised by my doc to get the (a, any) flu shot - - - and I never have and never will. I don't want my immune system artifically challenged in this way year after year, flu strain after flu strain. And so far have been lucky - haven't had the flu since 1969 when the Hong Kong flu got me really bad!!

Sue