BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Allergies & Colds Do you think that anti-flu vaccines are efficient?

Most of my friends and relatives have taken the anti-flu vaccine in October to prepare themselves for winter.They advice me to do so but I am not sure about it . I need feedback from you pls...

I haven't had a flu shot in years and haven't gotten the flu either. The best thing to do is to keep your immune system super-healthy. People who are elderly or have compromised immune systems should get them if their doctor advises.

I think many people have the expectation that if they don't get the flu shot, they will get the flu - but is it really the lack of the shot or just their belief about it?

The flu vaccine contains a "dead virus" so you cannot actually get the flu from a flu shot. (People sometimes tell stories about how they went to the hospital to get a flu shot and ended up with the flu, but in reality they probably got exposed to a flu sufferer in the waiting room, or something!)

So think of the flu shot as extra insurance. The best thing you can do is what joanj recommended and keep your immune system healthy through exercise and eating right. But if you have kids or work with kids (and you know how kids with their developing immune systems are always catching the flu), it wouldn't hurt to get a flu shot as extra protection. But otherwise, it may not be necessary if your immune system is in good shape. It's your choice.