There are a couple benefits to not getting the flu shot (you have to admit). i think i know of one of them. am i right? with the flu, i would prefer to risk getting it while i am young and healthy. i believe that when i am older, i will have more immuni

I : I disagree with you. The flu vaccine contains weakened or dead form of the virus. Your body recognizes the virus as an antigen and your immune system forms antibodies to fight the dead virus. That way, if your body is exposed to the flu virus, your body has already built immunity against the virus. The fact is, each year, the flu virus mutates and has a different molecular form. The antibodies that your body built against the previous virus won't typically recognize and fight the new mutated virus. This is why getting the vaccine each season is highly recommended. Getting vaccines is a wonderful way to build immunity in the body because your body develops antibodies based on the weakened virus within the vaccine. Protecting yourself against the flu by getting the vaccine is also protecting your family, friends and community from getting the flu. If you do not catch the flu, then you cannot spread it to others. Also, if you do get the flu, it will likely be less severe than if you opted not to since your body has built immunity. Another item to consider is that influenza can be so severe to some people that it can cause severe respiratory distress, requiring admission to the hospital (such as with h1n1 flu) and mechanical ventilation. The flu vaccine is highly recommended to protect against the illness....That and good handwashing.

No: The immunity you get from the vaccine is the same as you get from the flu itself. The flu virus mutates every year and the flu vaccine is modified to reflect this. Getting yearly flu shots offers the best chance of preventing the flu.