First off, recognize two things:
1. The flu can affect your ability to function at 100% for 1-2 weeks, plus sometimes 2-4 weeks of tiredness, coughing, and other symptoms.

2. The flu is most easily passed anyplace where large groups of people gather together or touch things (many germs are passed through a sick person touching something like a stairrail, a table, a door handle, a coin, or a desk. Other people who touch those items who then touch their eyes, nose or mouth before washing their hands then get infected.)

So, let's think through who has the highest risk, not of death from the flu, but of being negatively affected by it.

1. People who can't afford to not be able to work or attend school for 1-2 weeks, including:
- Anyone who doesn't have sick leave from their work, or has insufficient levels of sick leave (could you afford to take 2 weeks of no pay?)
- College and other students who can't afford to miss 1-2 weeks of class, especially just before finals.
- People who's job performance would be viewed negatively if they took 1-2 weeks of sick leave
- Parents who need to be available to help their kids

This factor is key, and is frankly, one of the main reasons why infectious diseases spread so rapidly. People who really should be sick at home, decide they can't afford to remain there, so they go to work or school anyway, infecting others. So, if you're in a situation where you can't afford to take that time off, whether for the purpose of not affecting others, or because life needs to go on for you, you probably should consider a shot, even if you're not in the target group.

2. Those who spend lots of time in places where large groups of people gather together or who are likely to touch things that lots of people touch, especially if they can't afford 1-2 weeks of being unable to function properly in their jobs and families. This could be lots of people, but some that come to mind include:
- College students (how long do you think will it take a disease to go through a closely packed population of 30,000 sleep-deprived, poorly-nourished college students?)
- Cashiers (handling money)
- People who ride public transit
- Teachers

See my point?

So, if you fit into any of these groups, and think that a few dollars might be good insurance against a couple of weeks of discomfort and lost wages, you may want to consider picking up your flu shot as soon as possible!

That's why I get mine every year.

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