'flu jab time

You could get a payment if you’re severely disabled and your disability was caused by vaccination against any of the following diseases:

diphtheria
haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
human papillomavirus
influenza, except for influenza caused by a pandemic influenza virus
measles
meningococcal group C (meningitis C)
mumps
pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu) - up to 31 August 2010
pertussis (whooping cough)
pneumococcal infection
poliomyelitis
rotavirus
rubella (German measles)
smallpox - up to 1 August 1971
tetanus
tuberculosis (TB)
You may have had a combined vaccination against a number of the diseases listed. For example, you might have been vaccinated against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) or MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).

You may also be able to get a payment if you’re severely disabled because either:

your mother was vaccinated against one of the diseases in the list while she was pregnant
you’ve been in close physical contact with someone who’s had an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis

This is copied from the government website. But be warned you're only entitled to compensation if you are at least 60% disabled.

Your views on people who don't want to have vaccinations are well known Jess but there are those whose experience has lead them to take an anti- vaccine stance.

There is a UK government fund for vaccine damaged children and adults. If you have had a child severely damaged by a vaccine then you might easily take an anti-vaccine stance.

We all know the benefits of vaccination, so I wish people would stop trotting out the facts and figures as if we were idiots. But it is a sad fact that some people react so severely to certain vaccines that they are left with severe physical and mental handicaps. To dismiss these inevitable casualties of a mass vaccination strategy is bad enough, to call their carers 'quacks' for taking an anti- vaccination stance is appalling.

I should clarify Anya that I was agreeing with Elegran regarding quacks and the dangers of paying heed to them. As a relevant example of quackery I was referring to those who take an anti-vaccine stand rather than those who decide not to have a particular vaccine. There is a lot of general anti-vaccine propaganda on the 'net and it is primarily aimed at parents. They propagate unsubstantiated scare theories, anxiety is raised in many parents and the results are whooping cough and measles outbreaks in various countries where the diseases were previously eliminated.
Vaccination has saved countless young lives and I can't have any sympathy with those who preach this dangerous and unscientific nonsense.
There is an example above of one of the quack preachers raising doubt about flu vaccine amongst older people.
If you give a vaccine to a large % of the over 65s in a country a % of those are going to already be infected with a flu-like illness of some kind in the week they get the vaccine. So some of them are going to get ill and may blame the flu vaccine. Doesn't mean the vaccine gives anyone flu.

Elegran I know all that.

I'm simply pointing out to Jess that her demonising of those who may not want to have the vaccination is OTT!

Ayse One experience of DH getting a flu virus which the jab had not prepared him for is not enough to abandon all other years. there are many strains of flu, and they alter often. The vaccine is prepared for the strains that are predicted to be prevalent that year. some years the predictions are better than others, and some years that current vaccine doen't protect from the one that hits an individual.

Anya There are medical reasons why some people are advised not to take the vaccine - and so there are people who assume that therefore the vaccine itself is the bad thing.

Flu carries off far far more people than the few who have a bad reaction to, say, the preservative in it or the base in which it is mixed, and flu become epidemic or pandemic when it whips through the unprotected, then reaches and kills many many more.

...who I now know to the be closet...

Fat fingers or grey matter not awake this morning?

..my understanding that of these grannies..

Jess there are people who are sane and sensible, even some of this site, who have reasons for avoiding certain vaccines.

I don't know what your definition of 'alternative persuasion' is but it would be helpful to know so I can now add that to my understanding that these grannies, who I now know to the closet extremists and survivalists.

I've not had a flu jab as I'm not old enough but DH always has one. last year was a disaster - he felt really ill and went to the docs, who said he had developed flu so I'm wondering if it is worthwhile - I think when the time comes I'll consult - I'm not for taking medication unless it is really necessary

Thanks for that Anno (and later the same from Elegran). Now that would be a breakthrough.

Trouble is there are so many claims that promise but then nothing more is heard of them. Hope this isn't one of them.

Not at all Elegran - there are cases of people with offices in Harley Street, London selling crackpot treatments. josephinejones.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/live-blood-quack-errol-denton-fined-19000/
There seem to be more of them in the USA (where the term "snake oil" originated) maybe because a/ there is no NHS and health care is fragmented and unaffordable for many. If people cannot afford the recommended operation they might resort to (cheaper) quackery. b/ it is a rich country in which there are big profits to be made selling quack cures etc
Regarding vaccination there is a very vocal anti-vaccine movement in the states. In other countries the anti-vaccers tend to be of the "alternative" persuasion. In the US there is also a strand of extreme right wing anti-state-control-ism with a generous dash of conspiracy theory. The kind of people who stockpile guns and emergency supplies in the cabins in the backwoods.

He is not the only health shark.

It makes very interesting reading Elegran. I first came across Mercola when doing some research on childhood vaccines, autism and thimerosal. Wouldn't trust anything he has to say far let alone follow any recommendations.

From my link at 26-Aug-15 10:38:54 "Mercola is not a strict medical doctor, but an osteopath who practiced in suburban Chicago (according to Chicago magazine, he gave up his practice in 2006 to focus on Internet marketing)"

Here is another link, katek Some very interesting information on Mercola's business interests and marketing claims.
www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html

A quote from the page about FDA warnings to Mercola (sorry, rather long, but not everyone follows links, and this should be read by all who are in danger of being taken in by his claims):-

"FDA Warnings

In 2005, the FDA ordered Mercola and his Optimal Wellness Center to stop making illegal claims for products sold through his Web site . The claims to which the FDA objected involved three products:

Living Fuel Rx, claimed to offer an "exceptional countermeasure" against cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc.
Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil, claimed to reduce the risk of heart disease and has beneficial effects against Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and many infectious agents
Chlorella, claimed to fight cancer and normalize blood pressure.

In 2006, the FDA sent Mercola and his center a second warning that was based on product labels collected during an inspection at his facility and on claims made on the Optimum Wellness Center Web site. This time the claims to which the FDA objected involve four products:

Vibrant Health Research Chlorella XP, claimed to "help to virtually eliminate your risk of developing cancer in the future."
Fresh Shores Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, claimed to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and degenerative diseases.
Momentum Health Products Vitamin K2, possibly useful in treating certain kinds of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Momentum Health Products Cardio Essentials Nattokinase NSK-SD, claimed to be "a much safer and effective option than aspirin and other pharmaceutical agents to treating heart disease."

The warning letters explained that the use of such claims in the marketing of these products violates the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, which bans unapproved claims for products that are intended for curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing of diseases. (Intended use can be established through product labels, catalogs, brochures, tapes, Web sites, or other circumstances surrounding the distribution of the product.)

In 2011, the FDA ordered Mercola to stop making claims for thermography that go beyond what the equipment he uses (Medtherm2000 infrared camera) was cleared for. The warning letter said that statements on Mercola's site improperly imply that the Meditherm camera can be used alone to diagnose or screen for various diseases or conditions associated with the breast, they also represent that the sensitivity of the Meditherm Med2000 Telethermographic camera is greater than that of machines used in mammography. The statements to which the FDA objected included:

"Revolutionary and Safe Diagnostic Tool Detects Hidden Inflammation: Thermography"
"The Newest Safe Cancer Screening Tool"
"[b]ecause measuring inflammation through thermal imaging is a proactive, preventative method you can use for detecting disease, which significantly improves your chances for longevity and good health."
Additionally, thermograms provide: "Reliable and accurate information for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis¦"
"Yes, it's true. Thermograms provide you with early diagnosis and treatment assistance in such problems as cancer, inflammatory processes, neurological and vascular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal injury."
Thermography can benefit patients by detecting conditions including: Arthritis: "[d]ifferentiate between osteoarthritis and more severe forms like rheumatoid." Immune Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, "Digestive Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and Crohn's disease…" and "Other Conditions: including bursitis, herniated discs, ligament or muscle tear, lupus, nerve problems, whiplash, stroke screening, cancer and many, many others."

The problem with these TV "personality" medicos is that they get themselves so much publicity for their wild crackpot theories. Because they have no much exposure, and so many celebs air their faces on the shows to praise the many stones they have lost overnight with this new diet of eating only pink food by the light of the new moon (or whatever the latest is) Joe or Jemima Public can be fooled into thinking that they are real experts.

Meanwhile the real researchers are ignored because it is "just another theory"

Thanks for link Elegran-have come across him before. Not the best person for vaccine advice!!

Researchers say they are closer to developing a vaccine to give life-long protection against any type of flu www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34038808 instead of targeting particular variations.

katek www.alternet.org/personal-health/four-biggest-quacks-plaguing-america-their-bad-claims-about-science

Fat lot of good to anyone, last year's was. Hope they manage better this year.

Roll on the day when this jab becomes available. As it is, our practice sends out a message about the two Saturdays when the jab will be available in the autumn. Then we all queue up for a 'conveyor belt' operation when all the nurses and HCAs arm themselves with syringes and jab, jab, jab... utilising several of the doctors' consulting rooms. It's quite a social occasion!

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mercola
I would research Mercola's claims very thoroughly.

If I'm offered it, I'll have it. If I'm not offered it because I'm considered to be at low risk by my "health professionals", I'm happy to trust their judgment.

I did have one, after being offered it by my GP practice, a few years ago after being diagnosed as asthmatic. Since then I have been undiagnosed as asthmatic and have not been offered any more flu jabs.

I've paid to have them for years and will avail myself of the free one when i get to that (rapidly approaching) age.
Influenza is a horrible illness and puts thousands in hospital every year. Who needs it? At best you'll feel lousy for several days and it will trash a month of your life. Well worth paying £10-15 once a year IMO.
The annual vaccine tackles the strains that WHO thinks are most likely to circulate - some years they are better at predicting than others.
Last winter I had the prevailing "flu like illness" which was not caused by a true influenza virus I think. I was reminded just how fed up a nasty winter virus can make you, even if you are not ill in bed.

(Boots do them or ASDA is usually the cheapest if you have one with a pharmacy near you)

I've been on immuno suppressants for almost 20 years so the flu jab has been part of my life. I've never had a bad reaction but I did have flu over the millennium holiday. Thanks for the link Alea, I'll ask which jab we're getting