Originally Posted by
BoilerUP
I would submit its less "opt in only" and more because everybody has had the flu in their life.
I've gotten flu twice in the last five years despite having gotten vaccinated religiously every year; CDC is reporting this year's vaccine is only 45-50% effective. That said, even if you get influenza having the vaccine, symptoms tend to be more mild and resolve faster due to antibodies..
I've had the shot every year for 30+ years (thanks Uncle), and I suspect that I have so many antibodies in my system that if I do get exposed to something the current vaccine missed, I still have a good bit of immunity. Occasionally I get very mild flu-like symptoms, not enough to slow me down, maybe just skip the gym for a day. So I think the shot's worth getting... if you don't, you'll eventually get a week+ home in bed.