[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Misterpants

The flu shot is not so YOU don't get the flu. It's for society in general who doesn't want to catch the flu from YOU. This includes all types of at risk groups for whom the flu would be deadly. Immunization is a method of controlling the spread of the flu virus.

Really, that makes no sense at all.

These guys don't explain it like that:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

Nor do these guys:

The flu shot works by prompting your body to build its natural immunity. Here's how:

• You get the flu shot, which contains inactive (dead) flu viruses.
• When your body comes into contact with the flu - even though the strains are inactive, you make antibodies that fight those viruses—even though they are inactive.
• You're now ready to fight off those flu viruses, using your own natural antibodies.

Basically the flu shot, and all vaccinations, help your body build natural immunities by triggering a natural response from your immune system.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/publi..._flu_shot.aspx