So will we be forced to get shots that are less than 50% effective, as was the case last year, so that the pharmaceutical companies will reap profits from our insurance premiums?

Nobody is forcing you to do anything. You can either take your chance to:

1) get the shot, knowing it is a guess (since nobody know what the future flu will bring) or

2) don't get the shot, knowing that you might get the flu (probably 50/50 chance or so). And nobody gets your money...unless you get the flu, then Walgreens will get it when you buy DayQuil and cough drops and Advil and NightQuil and .....

At least you have a choice, unlike many other countries.

@ Robyn. If you have decent health insurance, the flu vaccine is covered at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

If you choose not to have a flu shot and do get the flu, do buy some masks to wear to protect your family and others, and check the paid sick leave policy at your work.

I had an allergic reaction to the flu shot. I thought I might die. Now, almost every year I turn the shot down, and my doctor tells me that I really should get the shot. So, I did, and my tongue swelled up and I could barely breathe. Then, a nurse said I should wait in the waiting room so they could "watch me." Hell with that -- if I am going to die, it is not going to be in their waiting room. Walked to the bar down the street, had some white wine, and then went to the music store and rented a piano room and played the piano for an hour or two. All the while feeling sick as a goat. After a few hours, it appeared that I was not ER bound, but if you have allergies to things, as I do, like bee stings, various medications, and the like, then maybe it is reasonable to avoid the flu shot. For me it was worse than having the flu.

I got the flu shot & ended up with the flu anyway. Have been sick as a dog & have a lung infection to. I've been so sick for a week & can't remember when a flu has ever hit me so hard