I very very rarely get the flu, or even a bad flu. Two years ago for the first time, I got a flu shot. I was in perfect health when I received the shot, but about a month and a half later, came down with a really bad flu. I was out of commission for three weeks and it turned into a bronchial infection. After returning to work for about a month, I came down with another cold, this time a little less serious. Last year I skipped out on the flu shot and made it through cold season relatively unscathed. I think I like it better that way ....like they say...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. On another note...I have two friends who won't take ANY medication, including tylenol for colds/flus/headache etc. Instead, they drink teas, have lots of chicken soup, etc, exercise and stuff like that. They are very rarely sick and their colds don't seem to last as long as the norm..usually only a day or two of the sniffles. I think as a culture we tinker a little too much with our bodies natural defenses, and this has led to both stronger viruses and weaker immune systems.