[so_real]

You don't need to "suspect" that the ALA uses the statistics from the CDC. You can know it. All you have to do is read the report. Under each chart and graph they publish the source (ala. "Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention"). You are not reading and that is why you are not knowing.

Yes, influenza is a precursor to secondary bacterial infection. And you are correct, HIV is also a precursor condition. So is rhinovirus, COPD, lymphoma, asthma, heart disease, luekemia, Hodgkin's, etc, etc. Even therapies like steroidal, radiation, and chemo are precursor conditions, as is simply being 65 or older. Any condition that weakens the immune system is a precursor to pneumococcal disease. Many people get pneumonia, and many people die from it. It is a killer.

Yet you are happy to drink the media kool-aid, lump all the pneumonia deaths together regardless of precursor, call it "flu statistics", and pimp big-pharma's 10% effective flu shot, as if the flu shot actually accomplishes much of anything. Shall I find you the statistics on the death rates for years when flu vaccines were unavailable for the active strain? I shouldn't bother; you won't read it. So I'll just tell you, there is no significant change in pneumonia death rates when flu shots are not taken, or the wrong flu shot is administered. Why? Because influenza is a minor precursor and people still get pneumonia and die.

Why aren't you advocating the PCV13 or PPSV23 pneumococcal conjugate vaccines? Then at least your brazen attitude would have merit. Why do you double-down on vaccinating against a minor precursor instead of the actual killing organisms? For the vast majority, influenza is an awful nuisance spanning a few days. Yet you erroneously think tens of thousands of lives can be saved by demanding we accept the shot you think we should have. You have been brainwashed, and are insulting toward those who do the reading and are in the knowing.

But I've no interest in stifling your freedom of speech. It makes for good debate. And I will continue to speak myself as the opposition in the debate, and provide information to those willing to do the reading. And I am far from alone in that :

Don't Believe Everything You Read About Flu Deaths
Huffington Post, Canada

If you are willing to read anything, read that.

[Neoliberalnot]

You failed to mention all the other species that also get the flu and the vaccine as a preventive. Nobody pimps big pharma. You won’t answer questions because you take what, the 5th amendment—how is that a debate? Such an asinine comment as if pharmaceuticals have no roll in treatment, that’s not just ignorant but stupid and anti capitalist crap promoted on every leftist blog in the atmosphere.

It’s clear you are not a scientist of any sort. You won’t even admit to what you do for a living. How many vaccines have you delivered in your entire life? No one is forcing you to buy pharmaceuticals but you pretending to be an expert is insultingly transparent.