Question about the flu

[TominNC]

Every year there's a week or two where "the flu" is running through the team. Maybe this is an obvious or previously answered question, but why don't they just give them all flu shots near the beginning of the season?

My family all gets flu shots and we never have the flu running us all down. The company I worked for offered flu shots and the office wasn't decimated each winter.

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[GoAwayPanarin]

Every year there's a week or two where "the flu" is running through the team. Maybe this is an obvious or previously answered question, but why don't they just give them all flu shots near the beginning of the season?

My family all gets flu shots and we never have the flu running us all down. The company I worked for offered flu shots and the office wasn't decimated each winter.

Because in NHL terms, the "flu" isn't actually the flu.

Or else we'd see guys miss a week+ every time they have the flu.

 

[Thirty One]

Jenny McCarthy is very influential among NHL front offices.

 

[McRanger]

Because in NHL terms, the "flu" isn't actually the flu.

Or else we'd see guys miss a week+ every time they have the flu.

Yeah its usually a "stomach flu" which isn't the flu.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Every year there's a week or two where "the flu" is running through the team. Maybe this is an obvious or previously answered question, but why don't they just give them all flu shots near the beginning of the season?

My family all gets flu shots and we never have the flu running us all down. The company I worked for offered flu shots and the office wasn't decimated each winter.

Because there are multiple strains of the flu. Even if you get a flu shot, it doesn't protect you from all the strains. My company also gives out free flu shots to all employees and we still get 5-10% of our office impacted by other strains every year.

Because in NHL terms, the "flu" isn't actually the flu.

Or else we'd see guys miss a week+ every time they have the flu.

Not exactly. With Tamiflu and now more importantly Xofluza (FDA approved in 2018), flu symptoms can disappear in as little as 48 hours with just a lingering cough/nasal drainage.

 

[nyr2k2]

In a good year, the vaccine protects against ~60% of flu strains. In a bad year, it can be much less. It's never 100% effective or close to it.

This year, it's apparently hitting kids really hard. Neither of mine have gotten it yet, knock on wood.

Regardless of how effective it is, everyone should get a shot. You're helping yourself and also vulnerable people around you.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I believe they call it flu when it's actually a cold/ lung infection type thing. If a player had the flu it would be the dumbest thing a team could do to keep them around the team.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I think this has been answered sufficiently.