The cold and Flu season; This years epidemic (to get the shot or not)

The cold and flu season. Usually starting in mid October and continuing on to the following year, sometimes in to March. 

For me, it starts in late November, and I usually have it until the beginning of January. This time however, it has hung on until just the past couple weeks, and is slowly going away. I do not have a spleen, so it is harder for me to fight anything I get. I do not though, get the flu shot. 

Here's why; several years ago, when the doctors figured out I did not have a spleen, they loaded me up with shots. The flu shot, the   
pneumococcal and more. I had a rare auto immune disease that was treated with chemo, so all my defenses were low. Through the years though, I stopped getting the shots. Moving, changing Doctors, life changes, and so on, so I just stopped. I have found that I have been healthier without the shots and other medicines that I have been on. 

This year has been the 1st year that I caught the flu really bad, and it knocked me for a loop. I got it one day before the New Year, and still have the cough, and sinus issue. (mostly from working in a smoke filled casino is what I believe) Anyway, I don't get the shots. This is a personal choice. 

In Washington State, we have had over 150 deaths from complications of the flu, 27 have been in Snohomish county. The highest in the state. http://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-leads-state-in-flu-deaths-now-at-27/  This is my county. I live in the North end where homelessness and drug abuse has also risen. No doubt contributing to these statistics. 

According to the CDC the shot this year was only 46% effective. That's not a high number. I'm not a Doctor, nor a scientist, I didn't study medicine, or biology. None of those things, but it seems to me, that getting a shot that is not 100% effective, is not really worth it. I'm basing this on personal experience, but think about it. Why would you want to put a live virus in your body. (I get it, it builds the immune system) but if it's not going to work, then why do it? We've seen through the years what shots our Doctors give us, and our Government says we need, to go to school, to travel, ect; have done in the long term. Higher rates of Autism, meningitis, and other side effects. So, to me, there is just no point in getting one. (Again, a personal choice) 

Personal belief; It all comes down to DNA and Genetics. To get the shot or not is up to you. 

Other statistics involving shot's that our Government tell us we need. Let's look at the Amish, and people and culture who do not go by the guidelines of popular society. https://www.facebook.com/HealthRanger/videos/10154510104936316/

So there ya go; think things through before you blindly do what someone else tells you is good for you. You decide.