Paul,

You may be interested to know that things work a little differently here to
the US.  Basically, here (because we have a National Health Service and
(hopefully) pay into it whilst at work, so get treatment free - at least
that's the theory), our GP's tend to have a little more say as to what you
have and what you do not.  They recommend the flu jab for everyone over
about 65 and those who have dibilatating chest problems etc.  I am allowed
to have it and have found it worth having over the past few years, though
once I did get quite sick having had it.

The doctors here reckon that younger people really don't need it as they can
fight it and should do.  (I know that's probably disputed in the States but
thought you may be interested in another slant before making up your mind).

Hope this may help.

After all, we don't want that Lion sick, because we all know what happens
when he gets ill!


--
Carol



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ariel" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 12:59 PM
Subject: FLU SHOT?


> Hey, Family
>
> I was going to write this privately to Sandy and Roberta (the nurses on
the
> list, sorry if I missed anyone) but thought I'd post to everyone to get
your
> ideas.  We're being given flu shots at work next week and I'm wondering if
I
> should get one.  I never had one before and am wondering if they really do
> prevent the flu.  It seems to me as if folks get the flu from the shot and
> if that's true there doesn't seem to be much point though they say you get
a
> milder form of it.  I've heard that flu mutates in the body anyway, so the
> flu you're getting in the shot won't be the same that folks around you
have
> and you can still catch the mutated form from other folks, so it doesn't
> seem much point to that either.  But I don't want to get sick.  Grin.
>
> So what do you think?  Should I get the shot?  Remember, if I get sick,
> you'll have to put up with my whining (and you know how bad I am when I'm
> sick, with nobody to nurse my poor self back to health).  So let me know.
> Smile.
>
> Paul
>