Thread: 2020 flu season

Originally Posted by BobH

You are right that NHS is better than OHIP from what I can see. From the little I know of the NHS regarding the flu immunisation 65 and over do not pay for it and some others under certain circumstances also get it free. The rest seem to pay about 8 GBP for it.

Yes, if under 65 in Ontario you are responsible for paying your own drugs, dental and eye care. For that there is private insurance coverage available. I had mine as a work benefit while working and into retirement. The other option is to pay for it yourself if you can. There are other options if you can't.

The guess what part of that is that is the Ontario Trillium Foundation and other government sources of financial support for those that need it. I had a close relative in their early 40s fight pancreatic cancer, who could not afford what was not covered by OHIP and Trillium was a great help. They paid what little they could afford and the rest was covered. They never lacked for treatment. It was not a case of too bad, so sad, go home and die.

As with most health care systems some people can and do fall through the cracks.

Bob

I didn't actually know that people who can't afford medication can get a bit of help. I've been in Canada 17 years and have always paid.

I stand corrected.

Originally Posted by STF

I didn't actually know that people who can't afford medication can get a bit of help. I've been in Canada 17 years and have always paid.

I stand corrected.

The amount of subsidy, from a bit to a large percentage, depends on your income. I am sure past a certain level of income you are expected to provide for yourself as in having private insurance or pay directly yourself. The thing is to know where to look for help and the right questions to ask. In the case of my close relative the Regional Cancer Centre was a great help in in providing the info and helping secure the services needed.

Bob

The point of flu vaccination is not to prevent flu but to prevent its serious complications. There is very little evidence it does that. It works best in children and healthy young adults and guess what: they do not need it because they are at a very low risk of suffering the serious flu complications like a viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia. So the ones it works best for need it least. Unfortunately you cannot say that if you halve the incidence of flu in a certain population you will halve the incidence of its serious complications in the same population.
So the quintessence is: if the flu jab works for you, i.e. you do not fall ill with flu you are the one who is most likely not at risk of suffering complications of the flu.

[QUOTE=thebigspendur;1920952]

Originally Posted by PaulKidd

I can assure you with 100% certainty if one of these folks got the flu and wound up as sick as a dog or in the hospital they will get the shot next year.

Another way to think about this is if you went into a convenience store and the clerk handed you a $100,000 lottery ticket and told you if you bought it for a buck there is a 60% chance of winning the grand prize. Would you buy it?

Don't be betting on the future vaccine usage. If you want to laugh, or cry, check out the antivax boards around the time of the Disneyland measles outbreak. It was not filled with "well, that was stupid, I think I will get that vaccine".

The other reason for flu vaccine is to prevent spreading it to others. So if you work in healthcare in the US there is a pretty big push to vaccinate you. If you don't you are required to wear a mask during the flu season. Well now we all wear masks all the time so not sure how is that a punishment.

My theory is, if you don’t want it because of religious or don’t believe or just a chicken shit about needles don’t get it. So far I haven’t seen any reason not to, don’t cost anything or is very cheap, just insurance. So do what you will, but never cry about

[QUOTE=planeden;1921001]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Don't be betting on the future vaccine usage. If you want to laugh, or cry, check out the antivax boards around the time of the Disneyland measles outbreak. It was not filled with "well, that was stupid, I think I will get that vaccine".

Like I've said before, when you're sitting down at the breakfast table eating yer post toasties and you read about folks getting sick and dying you think well that's terrible and then go about yer business with no more thoughts. However, when yer brother calls you up and says moms in the hospital with....and they don't think she's gonna make it your prospective changes drastically.

Originally Posted by Kees

The point of flu vaccination is not to prevent flu but to prevent its serious complications. There is very little evidence it does that. It works best in children and healthy young adults and guess what: they do not need it because they are at a very low risk of suffering the serious flu complications like a viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia. So the ones it works best for need it least. Unfortunately you cannot say that if you halve the incidence of flu in a certain population you will halve the incidence of its serious complications in the same population.
So the quintessence is: if the flu jab works for you, i.e. you do not fall ill with flu you are the one who is most likely not at risk of suffering complications of the flu.

I'd like to see a fact check on that. You can be sure I'll be getting one from my epidemiologist buddy.

Just always remember, everyone has an opinion, most doctors differ all the time, so listen to who you want but his “OPINION” is not totally the law. I’ve had this discussion many times, for every egghead with a PHD states his facts another comes along and his facts don’t match.so who do you trust? Just because he’s a friend don’t make his opinion better.

Here’s where we all have to use our own brains and make decisions based on your life. Not what is going on with someone who may not have the same dynamics. Isn’t it funny how you can watch 22 news channels and doctors forums with all having the same education and same knowledge yet come up with totally opposite conclusions? Hell the only egghead I listen to anymore is Ron

With all due respect TC there is opinion and then there is data. Since infectious disease IS his business I'll put more weight in what he says, NOT because he's my friend but because that's what he does. You wouldn't call a plumber to come out and work on your car. You also don't go to a dentist for a problem with your feet.