IS IT WORTH IT TO IMMUNISE AGAINST INFLUENZA?

Influenza, more commonly refered to as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics. The flu spreads by sneezing or coughing, and symptons include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea or Vomiting

Advantages

1. The shot doesn't give you the flu
2. The shot protects you from more than one type of virus
3. No need to get a shot, there are other ways of recieving the vaccination
4. The shot is often free
5. Use your sick days for better purposes

Disadvantages

1. The shot can aggravate allergies
2. The shot is not guaranteed to protect you against the flu
3. The shot doesn't have an effect immediately
4. Some shots contain mercury
5. There are many potentially dangerous side effects

From http://occupytheory.org/list-of-pros-and-cons-of-flu-shots/

Between $18-$26 Million taxpayers money goes towards making a new vaccine every year, which is then distributed amongst New Zealanders. From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10868799

I don't think immunising against Influenza is worth all that fuss for something that is not gauranteed to work, or could cause allergies or vomiting. Plus the cost is not really worth it. The NZ Government could be spending that $18 Million on important things, such as helping kids and families in poverty. There is a lot of money that could go into this that has been wasted($40 Million on a flag Change), and I don't think that we should be wasting our time and money when we could be saving someone from a lifetime of poverty. Also, there is a possibility that the scientists who make the vaccination every year might make a mistake, and then the shot will be useless. We should'nt waste time and money trying to immunize everyone against the inevitable. Influenza will happen whether you are immunised or not.