Our flu viruses are variants of the H1N1 influenza virus (Spanish Flu) that originated in China a century ago and was imported by the Allies when they brought over laborers from China (to support the war effort) who were infected with the weaker original strain that was endemic there. Today’s flu vaccines that we use to fight its variants have prevented untold suffering. I’d had the flu several times earlier in my life, then I started annually taking the flu shot in 1975 when I started teaching school. I’ve not had the flu but once (a mild case) since then — that’s because each year’s vaccine can only cover the most likely strains that you might be exposed to. There are too many variants in circulation to guarantee full coverage.
Note: After my first flu shot, I had mild flu like symptoms for a couple of days. I’ve not experienced side effects since then.Note: This last flu season was a washout for the influenza viruses because of widespread Covid safety protocols in the US.
Note: I experienced mild fatigue after my second Covid vaccine shot. Compared to being sick with the Covid-19 and its short term and long term side effects, there’s no comparison. Even if I contract Covid, the symptoms will be mild compared to what I’d suffer if I were unvaccinated. I eagerly await my booster shot that will be tailored to protect against the most problematic variants. And, after that, I’ll be taking annual Covid boosters just like I do now for protection against influenza variants.
