With the pandemic outbreak of the H1N1 virus, more and more companies are requesting for flu vaccination as part of their wellness programs. I never had a flu shot so I don't have any idea of its effectivity. I know for a fact though that the vaccine only protects for a certain number of influenza virus strain. Here's an article I encountered which gives some light about flu vaccines. What is the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine is prepared from the fluids of chick embryos inoculated with a specific type(s) of influenza virus. The strains of flu virus in the vaccine are inactivated with formaldehyde and preserved with thimerosal, which is a mercury derivative. Does the flu vaccine protect against all throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections? The flu vaccine only protects against the three specific viral strains which are included in any given year's flu vaccine. Throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections caused by bacteria or other kind...