Vaccinations; recent developments

[sarkeizen]

So my opinion is not really my opinion

No.

Something you say may be your opinion, however it may also actually be true.  Are you with me so far?  Do you need help?  No?  Ok.  Let's move on...

In fact the assumption in conversation is that when you assert something about the world you are doing so with the implicit proviso that your assertion is not just something not based on anything in reality.  In other words people are interested in the true parts of your opinions or at least discerning the true parts from the not-true parts.  Got that?  Think you can handle the next step?  No?  Ok take five, rest your brain.  Feel up to it now?  Good.

Now due to this when someone wants you to explain yourself and you offer nothing but "It's just my opinion".  You are considered to have retreated to this position.  Why?  Well because the assumption was that you were expressing not just that you believe something but that there is some reason - hopefully a good reason that it is true.  Another way to look at it is that conversation wouldn't work if we assume that every point of fact is more likely than not something the speaker just made up.

[sarkeizen]

Personally I get the flu once every few years for a day or so and then I'm good to go.

So a day or two and then no symptoms at all?  Then it's likely you are not getting the influenza that we vaccinate against...and that's probably in no small part because you are surrounded by people who are vaccinated.

As such a flu shot which may only be 50% effective and may have some serious side effects makes absolutely no sense for me.

It probably does.  You are much more likely to get the flu than you are a side effect.

My concern is

Doubtful that this is your concern, you've already asserted that you unequivocally determined that vaccinations generally are not worth the risk. It's kind of ingenuous to pretend like you have any equipoise here...but I'll play along...

the government and pharmaceutical agencies

What is a pharmaceutical "agency".  Is that like the CIA - Ciprofloxacin Investigative Agency?

seem to be saying the flu shot is "safe and effective". However at the same time the media is saying the flu shot may only work 50% of the time and that there may be serious side effects.

Are you saying that "safe and effective" isn't compatible with working up to 90% of the time and being able to have a million seasonal flu shots before an adverse effect?

I do know someone is most likely wrong and I would rather...

...think it couldn't possibly be yourself.  I get it.

[allcanadian]

@Sark
LOL

[sarkeizen]

@Sark
LOL

Kind of a step back from "It's my opinion."

It seems pretty reasonable that if you had any even partially thought out rationale for your position.  We would have likely seen it by now.   Is there a reason you keep playing "hide my argument"? Do you enjoy the attention that much?

[SeaMonkey]

A statistical study published in Science which offers
good cause to scratch one's head.  The 'scientists'
seem baffled - but then again, it is only statistical.

"Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their 'good genes,' but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck," said the study co-author Bert Vogelstein.

The Cancer Industry is a huge money making
proposition.  Apparently it needs more money.
Advocating more testing to detect early cancer
definitely produces more money...

The establishment places little emphasis on the
need for healthy nutrition and strengthening of
the immune system.