areallifebooknerd:

alexofeddis:

thescienceoffandom:

Here are some basics on herd immunity, and here is some more technical research if you’re interested in the details! 

If you’ve ever heard my rants about vaccination, you know it’s a major topic with me. Because hey, I’m one of these immunosuppressed people this comic talks about, so it’s a bit of a sensitive subject. (“Oh, I’m sorry, you don’t like getting vaccinated? I don’t like having three month long respiratory infections because you gave me the freaking flu, but I guess you don’t care about that”)

Essentially, Ellen and her wonderful character Katherine have just said it better than I ever could—and using Shaun of the Dead references, too!!! It’s all about herd immunity—getting vaccinated isn’t just about your own health, it’s about the health—and non-zombification—of the entire human race.

SO REBLOG THIS!! LIKE THIS!!! SPREAD IT LIKE WILDFIRE!!!!!

Okay. I agree with this but every time I try to go in for vaccines (or shots in general) I panic and shut down. I get depressed for says and I succumb to more anxiety attacks than usual. It’s not qualified as a health reason, but I’d say it’s a pretty good reason to avoid needles.

There’s actually an easy way around the needles, at least for the flu vaccine! The flu vaccine is available as a nasal spray - no needles necessary.

The only difference between the injected vaccine and the nasal spray is that the injection is dead virus, and the nasal spray is ‘live attenuated’, meaning that it is weakened such that it can’t cause you the flu, though the CDC notes that the spray might give you some mild cold-type symptoms - runny nose, etc.. (For more information on this distinction, check out our earlier comic) It’s highly unlikely that you could pass this weakened virus to someone, but it’s advised that you avoid getting up in any seriously immuocompromised friends or family members’ faces for a few days after the spray. And the nasal spray teaches your immune system just as well as the shot, so you’re protecting yourself and others as well!

The CDC has more information on the nasal spray.

So definitely ask your doctor about the nasal spray! 

There are various other needle-free delivery mechanisms in development as well, and some that already exist, including something a little like the hypospray from Star Trek. It’s probably worth talking to your doctor about these possibilities if and when you need booster shots or other vaccines in the future.

Hope this helps!