[tsotha]

Last year the flu vaccine was only about 35% effective in my area and the world didn't end. In a normal year you're in no danger from the flu unless your pulmonary or immune systems are compromised.

Of course that's not true every year.

[aestra]

I had a family friend die of the common flu. He was in his early 50's and otherwise completely healthy. Just got the flu and died. It was so sad...

We also know that healthy children and teens without any known risk factors die from the flu

Austin’s case is not unusual, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday. In fact, 43 percent American children who died from flu were perfectly healthy beforehand, CDC researchers found. While conditions such as cerebral palsy and asthma can make flu especially dangerous for a child, there’s no way to tell which children will become seriously ill or even die from seasonal flu, the researchers warn.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49465633/ns/health-cold_and_flu/t/...

[tjogin]

The seasonal flu isn't like H1N1, the latter put some young healthy people under so bad that they had to be hospitalized for weeks and needed equipment to breathe.

Those who suffer that bad from the seasonal flu are very old, very young or have a very weakened immune system.

[ceejayoz]

> In a normal year you're in no danger from the flu unless your pulmonary or immune systems are compromised.

As the parent of twins born three months early, that sort of attitude is distressing. Vaccination protects more than just the person vaccinated.

[tsotha]

Don't misread me. I'm not saying people shouldn't get vaccinated. All I'm saying is we have a pretty good idea what a "normal" non-vaccinated flu season looks like.

Of course getting vaccinated is the right thing to do, even if it's only partially effective. My dad has emphysema, so I know where you're coming from.